Funding the war in Iraq

Funding the war in Iraq is quickly emerging as a cause of concern for "military officials, defense contractors and members of Congress [who] say that worsening U.S. fortunes in Iraq have dramatically changed the equation and more money will be needed soon. This comes as lawmakers, returning from their spring break, voice unease about the mounting violence and what they say is the lack of a clearly enunciated strategy for victory." [1]

The Washington Post's Jonathan Weisman reports on April 21, 2004, that "Intense combat in Iraq is chewing up military hardware and consuming money at an unexpectedly rapid rate -- depleting military coffers, straining defense contractors and putting pressure on Bush administration officials to seek a major boost in war funding long before they had hoped." [2]

Although Congress "approved an $87 billion defense request last year," Weisman writes, "the administration has steadfastly maintained that military forces in Iraq will be sufficiently funded until early next year." However, Bush's "budget request for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 included no money for Iraqi operations, and his budget director, Joshua B. Bolten, said no request would come until January at the earliest." [3]

Unmet funding needs, "including initiatives aimed at providing equipment and weapons for troops in Iraq" which are NOT included in "Bush's $402 billion defense budget for 2005," identified by the military include: [4]

Army:

$132 million for bolt-on vehicle armor
$879 million for combat helmets, silk-weight underwear, boots and other clothing
$21.5 million for M249 squad automatic weapons
$27 million for ammunition magazines, night sights and ammo packs
$956 million for repairing desert-damaged equipment
$102 million to replace equipment lost in combat

Marine Corps:

$40 million for body armor, lightweight helmets and other equipment for "Marines engaged in the global war on terrorism"
1,800 squad automatic weapons
5,400 M4 carbine rifles

"Bush administration officials have not wavered in their contention that money is actually plentiful. Dov S. Zakheim, who left his post as Pentagon comptroller last week, told reporters earlier this month that there may be a temporary spike in spending in the coming months but that costs would then steadily decline. By borrowing from military personnel, operations and maintenance accounts for the final half of 2005, the Pentagon may be able to bridge the gap, said Rep. John M. Spratt, Jr. (S.C.), the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee. But budget chicanery of that magnitude would be unprecedented, he added. ... 'Whether they can do that if the requirement is $50 [billion] or $60 billion remains to be seen,' Spratt said. 'It's no way to run a budget.'" [5]

SourceWatch Resources

External Links

Jonathan Weisman, "War May Require More Money Soon," Washington Post, April 21, 2004.
"Pentagon Drafts Iraq Troop Plan to Meet Violence," New York Times, April 21, 2004.