US lawmakers are trying to pressure the Trump administration to release video of a controversial double-tap military strike by limiting Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's travel budget.
The incident on 2 September, in which the US carried out a second deadly strike on a boat in the Caribbean, has raised fresh questions about the legality of Trump's campaign targeting alleged drug-carrying vessels.
A provision buried in a lengthy defence spending policy would restrict travel funds for Hegseth's office until the Pentagon hands over unedited footage. The bill is expected to pass with support from both parties.
US President Donald Trump says release of the video is something for Hegseth to decide.
Trump denied that he had previously said he would have no problem with the footage being made public - despite that comment being made on camera as recently as Wednesday.
The threat from Congress to withhold money from Hegseth's travel budget has emerged amid a clamour for information from lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle.
It is buried within a 3,000-page draft bill that is focused on approving next year's defence spending. The annual bill authorises nearly $901bn in funding (£687m).
The bill's final wording states that Hegseth's office may spend no more than three-quarters of the funds made available for travel for the year 2026 until it meets certain requirements.
These include an obligation to give the House and Senate armed service committees all unedited video of strikes conducted against designated terrorist organizations in the area of responsibility of the United States Southern Command.
The wording nods to the way Trump has characterised his strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, asserting they are targeting designated terrorist organisations.
Trump has previously posted video of the first strike from 2 September, and continues to be asked whether he will release video of the second.
In his comments to reporters on Monday, Trump claimed that each of the alleged drug boats sunk had saved 25,000 American lives, and presented the narratives of drug trafficking as nearly halted.
Concerns about the legality of the strikes have led to bipartisan scrutiny from Congress. Experts highlight that laws of armed conflict typically require parties engaged to assist wounded survivors instead of conducting additional attacks.
The White House maintains their operations are justifiable under the laws of armed conflict. Senior Congress members present during a briefing on the incident have had varied responses, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding this controversial military action.
