The Pentagon estimates the Iran war has cost $25 billion so far as Defense Secretary Hegseth defended spending before Congress. Jerome Powell stays on as Federal Reserve board member to shield the agency from political pressure. The Supreme Court narrowed voting rights protections, making it harder to challenge aggressive redistricting that dilutes minority voting power. The U.S. military has spent $25 billion on the Iran war so far, with additional unmeasured economic damage from blocked shipping through the Strait of Hormuz affecting global trade.