Why it Matters
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) posted Oct. 28 that a new Pentagon estimate puts the Iran war cost at $47.1 billion, excluding damage to U.S. military bases in the Middle East, and called for clear objectives, an exit strategy, and a full accounting of costs.
Lawmakers in both parties are now on record responding to the estimate, with Democrats pressing for an end to the conflict and at least one Republican raising the question of congressional authorization.
The Pentagon provided the estimate to Congress, according to the Associated Press, which also reported a proposed $95 billion package to fund the war and other priorities.
Reuters reported the new figure was more than 25 percent above the Defense Department's earlier estimate, and Roll Call noted it had risen from $43.6 billion in early September.
What They're Saying
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) posted Oct. 25 that "Donald Trump has spent at least $45 BILLION on his Iran war," adding that $30 billion could have extended Affordable Care Act tax credits for a year.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) posted Oct. 28 that "The Iran War has cost taxpayers at least $47.1 BILLION… plus the $100 billion+ in extra costs at the gas station."
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) posted the same day: "Eight months into @POTUS's war with Iran and no clear end in sight, more than $47 billion in taxpayer dollars have been spent — driving costs through the roof for American families."
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) wrote Oct. 28 that "Trump's illegal and unwinnable war in Iran has cost Americans almost $50 billion so far."
Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) added that "the administration is asking for billions more."
On the Republican side, Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI) posted Oct. 26 that he had "voted four times to require congressional authorization for the war in Iran," adding: "My own party's leadership disagreed, but I'd cast that vote again."
Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) wrote Oct. 26 that "Trump bragged about how his friends in Big Oil are 'making a freaking fortune' off his Iran war." Cuellar's Oct. 28 post called for defined objectives and oversight rather than an immediate end to the war.
Bottom Line
Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI-7) said he has voted four times to require congressional authorization for the war in Iran, a position his party's leadership disagreed with, and that he would cast those votes again.
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