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Dems: Hidden Costs Double Price of War

$1.5T price tag on Iraq, Afghanistan tallies to $20,000 per family

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 13, 2007 12:00 PM CST
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(Newser) – The costs of waging war in Iraq and Afghanistan is actually $1.5 trillion, Democrats say in a report out today—far above the $802 billion spent or appropriated by Congress. Citing "hidden costs" such as higher oil prices, veterans' care, and interest on war debt, the report estimates the average family of four has spent $20,000 so far, the Washington Post reports.

Sen. Chuck Schumer called the cost "tragically unacceptable," while Republicans have characterized the assessment as defeatist. Analysts on both sides of the aisle agree that while the report may be exaggerated, true costs are much higher than published. By comparison, Vietnam is estimated to have cost $600 billion in today's dollars, while World War II ran $4.9 trillion.

Congressional Democrats have published a new report on the cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Congressional Democrats have published a new report on the cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.   ((c) wyntuition)
President Bush sits among family members who lost their loved ones while serving in Iraq during a Veteran's Day ceremony at the American Legion Post 121 in Waco, Texas Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. Malia Fry, right, wife of Marine Gunnery Sgt John Fry who died last year, holds her four-year...
President Bush sits among family members who lost their loved ones while serving in Iraq during a Veteran's Day ceremony at the American Legion Post 121 in Waco, Texas Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. Malia Fry,...   (Associated Press)
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., in Congress.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., in Congress.   (Associated Press)
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Economic data on the Iraq war
Brookings Institution

The CBO's estimate (PDF)
Congressional Budget Office

 
Iraq • Afghanistan • Congress • Charles Schumer • congressional Democrats • Iraq veterans • Iraq war • war cost

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