Letter to Barack Obama, President of the United States - Full Accounting of the Libyan Conflict and Costs to Taxpayers

Letter

Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) sent a letter to President Obama, calling for a full accounting of the Libyan conflict and the costs to taxpayers.

"Just as we're struggling to cut federal spending and bring down our national deficit, we're also faced with the challenge of managing two military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. If we're going to be involved in Libya, we must know how much a third military conflict will cost us," said Rep. Braley. "I know I'm not the only who's asking these questions -- Speaker Boehner, for one, has also expressed his concerns -- and I think it's important that the President give us and all American taxpayers an accurate answer on this issue. I will always stand with people fighting for freedom and democracy around the world, and I know both President Obama and Speaker Boehner would too. But America has to address many important challenges right here at home -- with spending as the most critical one. And before we spend any money abroad, I want to know how much it's going to cost us."

Full text of the letter:

Dear President Obama,

I write today with concerns over the cost of "Operation Odyssey Dawn" in Libya. I echo many of Speaker Boehner's concerns from his letter dated March 23, 2011, that we owe our constituents an accounting of the cost of these operations.

As you're well aware, the current level of federal spending and our national deficit is unsustainable, and as we work to withdraw from our involvement in two other conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, I firmly believe American taxpayers deserve a full accounting of the additional burden of a third conflict. With that in mind, how much has Operation Odyssey Dawn, and any supporting functions, cost taxpayers to date, and what is the daily cost for continued operations?

I appreciate your statements that U.S. involvement is temporary and that coalition partners will soon be assuming responsibility for the enforcement of the no-fly zone. When do you see that transition happening, and how will this impact costs to American taxpayers after the transfer of responsibility? If this operation requires a longer term commitment, what are the cost projections by month of continued U.S. involvement?

I encourage to make clear to the American people the costs of this new conflict. I look forward to your responses to my questions, and thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Bruce Braley
Member of Congress

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