CBO: $432 Billion for War on Terror So Far

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports that Congress has allocated a total of $432 billion for the War on Terror since Sept. 11, 2001, and that continued military operations in Iraq could cost up to an additional $406 billion through 2010.

According to the CBO report, the war in Iraq has cost $290 billion so far; including $254 billion for actual war fighting, $14 billion to train Iraqi police and military forces, and $22 billion for diplomatic operations and foreign aid.

Future costs of Iraq war: The report estimates future costs of the Iraq war based on two possible scenarios:

• removal of all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2009 - $202 billion, and

• reduction of U.S. troop levels to 40,000 by 2010 - $406 billion.

What about veterans? CBO also estimated the cost to the Department of Veterans Affairs for assistance provided to service members, veterans, and their families as a result of the war in Iraq through the end of 2006 at about $1 billion, primarily for medical care.

The report was prepared by CBO at the request of Rep. John M. Spratt Jr. (D – SC, 5th), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Budget.

Through July 12, 2006, the Department of Defense had confirmed 2,544 U.S. troops killed in military operations in Iraq.

Also See:
Iraq War Enters Fourth Year: Achievements and Costs
Bush to Spare No Expense in Continuing Iraq War
The Human Costs of Iraq War (Liberal Politics)