Bipartisan Senators Criticize Pentagon Strategy Briefing

Elbridge Colby gave a classified Senate Armed Services Committee briefing on Sept. 17, 2026, on National Defense Strategy implementation. Law required it by Sept. 15 after the January strategy release. Senators said he gave no opening statement, few details, and no yes-or-no answers on consequential questions, only written follow-ups. Sen. Kevin Cramer said there were a lot more questions than answers, called it very peculiar, weird, very disrespectful to say the least, and a dodge and punt, and said Colby just blew her up right from the beginning. Sen. Joni Ernst said she was very disappointed and did not stay to ask questions because he was not giving any clear responses. Sen. Mark Kelly said the Pentagon struck an estimated 14,000 to 16,000 targets in Iran, including some civilian sites; specialists estimate about three years to rebuild some advanced weapons including missile interceptors. Colby acknowledged National Guard talks at polling places. Gen. Dan Caine wrote Slotkin there were no federal plans for 2026 polling places. Contested: Sen. Eric Schmitt criticized Democrats for disrespect toward Colby. Other senators said they sought accountability, not disrespect. Nearly all Senate Democrats led by Slotkin, except Fetterman, demanded Iran war cost data from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The $1.5 trillion fiscal 2027 defense budget and $67.1 billion supplemental remain stalled until mid-November at earliest.