Fact Check: During a Senate committee hearing on Wednesday, June 11, Hegseth was pressed by Democrat Senator Chris Coons (D-CT) on why the administration was not using the previously approved remaining $3.8 billion in PDA to send additional air defense capabilities to Kyiv.

Fact Check: "During a Senate committee hearing on Wednesday, June 11, Hegseth was pressed by Democrat Senator Chris Coons (D-CT) on why the administration was not using the previously approved remaining $3.8 billion in PDA to send additional air defense capabilities to Kyiv."

What We Know

On June 11, 2025, during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Senator Chris Coons (D-CT) questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the administration's handling of military aid to Ukraine. Coons specifically highlighted concerns about the lack of utilization of approximately $3.8 billion in Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) that had been previously approved for sending additional air defense capabilities to Ukraine (Kyiv Post, CBS News). Coons criticized the administration for not adequately supporting Ukraine amidst ongoing conflicts with Russia, stating, "Peace through strength means actually using our strength, continuing to support Ukraine and securing a lasting peace" (Kyiv Post).

Hegseth responded to Coons' inquiries by asserting that the flow of weapons from earlier commitments was ongoing, although he did not provide specific details regarding the deployment of the approved funds (Spectrum News, Kyiv Post).

Analysis

The claim that Senator Coons pressed Hegseth on the administration's failure to utilize the remaining $3.8 billion in PDA is accurate, as it is corroborated by multiple sources. Coons' questioning was part of a broader critique of Hegseth's leadership and the administration's military funding strategy, which he described as inadequate given the current geopolitical climate (IN THE NEWS, Hegseth takes heat).

Coons' remarks reflect a bipartisan concern regarding the adequacy of U.S. military support for Ukraine, as he emphasized that the elimination of aid in the proposed budget could have severe implications for Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression (Spectrum News, Kyiv Post).

However, while Coons did express frustration over the lack of action regarding the PDA funds, the context of Hegseth's responses and the overall budgetary discussions indicate that the administration was still engaged in discussions about military aid, albeit with a focus on reallocating resources and emphasizing European contributions to defense (Hegseth spars with senators, Trump Quietly OKs). This nuance suggests that while there are valid concerns about the pace and effectiveness of aid, the situation is not as clear-cut as a total failure to utilize the funds.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim is partially true because it accurately reflects the essence of the exchange between Senator Coons and Secretary Hegseth regarding the $3.8 billion in PDA. However, the context surrounding the discussion indicates that while there are significant concerns about the administration's military aid strategy, there is ongoing dialogue and some level of commitment to supporting Ukraine, albeit with a shift in focus towards European defense responsibilities.

Sources

1. IN THE NEWS: Ranking Member Coons highlights ...
2. Hegseth takes heat at Senate hearing over reduced aid to ...
3. Trump Quietly OKs Another $30M Arms Transfer for Ukraine
4. Hegseth spars with senators over defense budget, LA in ...
5. Sen. Chris Coons Grills Hegseth on Ukraine War at Senate ...
6. Coons blasts Hegseth for request to eliminate funding for ...
7. Kyiv's Fears Come True: US Defense Slashes Military Aid ...
8. Senator Coons questions DoD Secretary Hegseth over ...