Boyd Pushes for Greater Fiscal Responsibility in Iraq

Press Release

BOYD PUSHES FOR GREATER FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY IN IRAQ

New CBO report puts costs of war at staggering $2.4 trillion

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In the wake of reports from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that the costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could total as much as $2.4 trillion, Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida) today called on the House leadership to demand greater fiscal responsibility in Iraq by supporting the War Funding Accountability Act (HR 714). This Blue Dog-endorsed legislation would require the President to report to Congress 30 days after the passage of any supplemental funding measure about how military and reconstruction funds in Iraq have been spent.

The War Funding Accountability Act also requires the Administration to provide a detailed accounting of the contracts awarded on behalf of the United States and expresses the sense of Congress that sanctions would be imposed against any contractors who have engaged in fraud, abuse, or war profiteering. Recently, Congressman Boyd joined his fellow Blue Dogs in sending a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling for her support of HR 714, which is critical in the wake of President Bush's request for an additional $46 billion in funding for the war in Iraq.

"The need for increased fiscal oversight and accountability in Iraq is clear," said Congressman Boyd, a leader of the Blue Dog Coalition and a member of the House Budget Committee. "The President has asked for nearly $200 billion in funding for the 2008 fiscal year alone. The taxpayers have a right to know that the billions being spent in Iraq are spent responsibly. We must replace waste and fraud with proper oversight and accountability and that's what this sensible bill aims to do."

To date, more than $600 billion has been provided for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, $450 billion for Iraq alone according to the Congressional Research Service. This week, the President submitted another emergency war funding request totaling $46 billion. This increases the Administration's 2008 request to $196 billion, causing the overall cost in Iraq to reach $800 billion.

Today, the Director of the CBO, Dr. Peter Orszag, testified before the House Budget Committee that the total costs of war operations could reach nearly $2.4 trillion by 2017, or nearly $8,000 for every man, woman, and child in the country. CBO's estimate assumes that forces in Iraq and Afghanistan are reduced to 75,000 by 2013.

"These are staggering sums by any standard of measurement," Boyd stated. "Our country is making a major investment in Iraq, and we must do everything we can to ensure that our tax dollars are going where they belong—supplying our troops with the resources they need. As the President asks Congress for billions of dollars more in Iraq, it is my hope that this Administration will rethink how we are using our assets so that we can turn control of Iraq to the Iraqis and fight terror more effectively."

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