Letter to Barack Obama, President of the United States - Concern Over Overseas Contingencies Operations Fund

Letter

Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) sent a letter to President Obama expressing concern over the proposed $157.8 billion in taxpayer funds for an "Overseas Contingencies Operations Fund" in the 2011 spending bill.

"Just earlier this week, the Defense Department announced that operations in Libya have cost taxpayers as much as $608 million to date, and it seems that this money came out of the "Overseas Contingencies Operations Fund,'" said Rep. Braley. "Now, taxpayers are being asked for even more money for this fund -- presumably to fund additional operations in Libya. It's unacceptable for us to engage in yet another overseas mission without a clear understanding of how much we plan to spend, and I believe Americans deserve a clear answer from the President on what this fund will be used for and how much will be spent."

Dear President Obama,

Thank you for your leadership on recent difficult budget questions. I write today with concerns over the $157.8 billion for the Overseas Contingency Operations Fund in the FY 2011 continuing resolution deal reached over the weekend.

The bill released this week makes a number of cuts to domestic programs, but maintains our defense spending on a number of costly operations overseas. The Defense Department announced earlier this week that the projected cost of operations in Libya is $608 million to date, and it is my understanding that these costs have come from the Overseas Contingency Operations Fund. It appears that under the FY 2011 continuing resolution deal, you are now asking U.S. taxpayers to replenish the Overseas Contingency Operations Fund. Presumably the fund was depleted by the cost of the Libya operations. I have serious concerns over the continued use of U.S. forces in Libya and the cost of operations to U.S. taxpayers, who are directly footing the bill under this legislation.

I believe the American people deserve a full accounting of where and how these Overseas Contingency Operations Funds will be used. Furthermore, if the FY 2011 continuing resolution deal is replenishing funds that were already spent from this account, I request that you itemize those previous expenses from this account.

I encourage you to clarify for the American people how these funds will be used, and have been used. 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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