Testifying before the House Appropriations Committee last week, Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought said the US had spent $30 billion on the Iran War.
It's just astounding to me how we can insist that children show their work when solving math problems, but we can't compel the Department of War to show their work in justifying a $30 million price tag for Iran after requesting an additional $88 million in funding. Evidently, we have some adults in the Trump administration who need to go back to grade school.
Well said. Given the War Department's near infinite resources, there's no reason why my war cost estimate should be the most comprehensive one out there. But here we are.
What an excellent and well researched article. I was a career senior budget analyst in the Pentagon so I have been very curious about what not only this war, but the entirety of the DOD’s expenditures have been. There has never been a darker screen over the visibility of expenditures. I’m retired now but during my career, Congress was intimately involved in all of the financial and operational aspects of DOD. Our country’s resources are being bled dry. I appreciate all of the analytical work behind your article.
Thank you, Judy, means a lot. I do a lot of Pentagon budget analysis in my own newsletter, but it's a joy whenever I get to write for this one. Don't hesitate to reach out if you want to suggest a research topic or share some wisdom with me from your professional experience. Thanks again.
All Americans need to know this! It makes me furious that they have the money to bomb another country but not for healthcare, supplemental nutrition for children, and other social programs they've cut saying they don't have the money. And what about that $4 trillion tax cut for wealthy and corporations? Maybe they need to look to them for the billions to pay for bombs.
They burned up $103B for zero gain yet previously claimed we can't afford Medicare for All and the VA must be privatized to (cue the magic words) SAVE MONEY!
I was about to write "we" but let me say I am tired of being lied to. I am tired of this government spending money to kill children, and to withdraw funds for saving children's lives. I am tired of watching what would be clearly a farce in a film act as president of the country. But I am especially tired of the people around Twump using this opportunity to push their white nationalist Christian male bullshit down our throats. The rape of America is ongoing and please please help. If those Iranians chanting "Revenge" don't get them first, Karma is my boyfriend.
He sucks at that as well. What he does best is destroy. He is a petulant child throwing his brand new toys against the nursery wall not because he did not get what he wanted but because his brother got what he wanted. He is a sick f-up man and he POTUS. Again, I ask: How did we get here, Pogo?
Another war of choice launched by the US. Many US citizens who became adults after 9/11 probably think aggressive war is what the USA does. I dislike the renaming of the DOD. However, US 'war fighters' have been active for most of the 21st century. So, the renaming is apt. President Eisenhower's parting foresight and warning have been proved correct. The DOD and the industrial complex that underpins the US's militarism have increased their influence year after year. The Pentagon's budget is gargantuan and its annual expenditures are enormous. US taxpayers will pay the price until a coalition of peacemakers says "no more for war" and builds a movement to curtail the insanity.
Thank you for doing the research and telling the truth about Trump’s completely unnecessary, budget-busting war against Iran. The deaths of Iranian schoolgirls and teachers, the deaths and injuries of an unknown number of American soldiers and the injuries to uncounted Iranian civilians and soldiers are the most painful losses of all. Their families will never be the same. Vital for all of us to raise our voices in protest, ensure that friends and family are registered to vote in the midterms and donate whatever we can afford to progressive candidates who will fight for working people and protect the dignity and rights of hardworking immigrants.
"Throughout the conflict, the cost of the Iran War has been habitually understated."
Lied about. Vought signed the $72 billion request before he testified that the cost was $30 billion. So either the $72 billion was an overinflated request or the $30 billion was inaccurate. Either way, that's a lie since Vought knows which figure is correct.
Oh, and US CENTCOM said they bombed more than 80 targets in Iran yesterday (Tuesday).
Joseph, it’s department of defense only Congress can change it but great points…also, mentally …they’re all middle schoolers. Personally that’s an insult to middle schoolers.
Judd, fantastic reporting on such a troubling issue. Lying to Congress is warmly embraced by this Whitehouse. We have had a dysfunctional Congress for some time.
We surely have a dysfunctional President & cabinet. Our military is being destroyed by a dysfunctional child boy wannabe man. There is no Republican Party of Abraham, Teddy nor Ike. The Democrat Party are too busy embraced in infighting rather than seeking common ground. Libertarians well their just Libertarians.. you know…like you bring donuts into work to share with your fellow workers. Libertarians there right there to take the first donut. The first to take the second round of donuts and yes they take the last donut too.
Yet, never bring donuts into share.
Very much like the vast majority of the wealthy…they only take. Sharing nor caring are absent from their beliefs yet they pray to their blue eyed white skin Jesus. The world’s true savior.
Judd, keep reporting I’m still an optimist we’ll get through this mess!
It's just astounding to me how we can insist that children show their work when solving math problems, but we can't compel the Department of War to show their work in justifying a $30 million price tag for Iran after requesting an additional $88 million in funding. Evidently, we have some adults in the Trump administration who need to go back to grade school.
Well said. Given the War Department's near infinite resources, there's no reason why my war cost estimate should be the most comprehensive one out there. But here we are.
Thanks for reading.
Or go to prison
Why, Joseph, the Ministry of Truth would never lie. Would they?
What an excellent and well researched article. I was a career senior budget analyst in the Pentagon so I have been very curious about what not only this war, but the entirety of the DOD’s expenditures have been. There has never been a darker screen over the visibility of expenditures. I’m retired now but during my career, Congress was intimately involved in all of the financial and operational aspects of DOD. Our country’s resources are being bled dry. I appreciate all of the analytical work behind your article.
Thank you, Judy, means a lot. I do a lot of Pentagon budget analysis in my own newsletter, but it's a joy whenever I get to write for this one. Don't hesitate to reach out if you want to suggest a research topic or share some wisdom with me from your professional experience. Thanks again.
Congress is intimately involved in running scared and bowing and scraping to the cretins at the top of the DOD and the White House
All Americans need to know this! It makes me furious that they have the money to bomb another country but not for healthcare, supplemental nutrition for children, and other social programs they've cut saying they don't have the money. And what about that $4 trillion tax cut for wealthy and corporations? Maybe they need to look to them for the billions to pay for bombs.
They burned up $103B for zero gain yet previously claimed we can't afford Medicare for All and the VA must be privatized to (cue the magic words) SAVE MONEY!
Thank you for telling the truth, lost in King Baby’s war hype.
You're very welcome. Thank you for reading.
I was about to write "we" but let me say I am tired of being lied to. I am tired of this government spending money to kill children, and to withdraw funds for saving children's lives. I am tired of watching what would be clearly a farce in a film act as president of the country. But I am especially tired of the people around Twump using this opportunity to push their white nationalist Christian male bullshit down our throats. The rape of America is ongoing and please please help. If those Iranians chanting "Revenge" don't get them first, Karma is my boyfriend.
Bankruptcy is what Trump does best.
He sucks at that as well. What he does best is destroy. He is a petulant child throwing his brand new toys against the nursery wall not because he did not get what he wanted but because his brother got what he wanted. He is a sick f-up man and he POTUS. Again, I ask: How did we get here, Pogo?
Thank you.
Isn't lying to Congress a crime?
They have to be stopped.
Another war of choice launched by the US. Many US citizens who became adults after 9/11 probably think aggressive war is what the USA does. I dislike the renaming of the DOD. However, US 'war fighters' have been active for most of the 21st century. So, the renaming is apt. President Eisenhower's parting foresight and warning have been proved correct. The DOD and the industrial complex that underpins the US's militarism have increased their influence year after year. The Pentagon's budget is gargantuan and its annual expenditures are enormous. US taxpayers will pay the price until a coalition of peacemakers says "no more for war" and builds a movement to curtail the insanity.
Well said. I regularly write about the topics you mentioned: https://www.stephensemler.com/archive
Thank you for doing the research and telling the truth about Trump’s completely unnecessary, budget-busting war against Iran. The deaths of Iranian schoolgirls and teachers, the deaths and injuries of an unknown number of American soldiers and the injuries to uncounted Iranian civilians and soldiers are the most painful losses of all. Their families will never be the same. Vital for all of us to raise our voices in protest, ensure that friends and family are registered to vote in the midterms and donate whatever we can afford to progressive candidates who will fight for working people and protect the dignity and rights of hardworking immigrants.
Most members of Congress have refused to do their jobs dealing with the military and most people do not care.
Most people in our Republic do not care about, soldiers, veterans, their families.
USA has nationalized industries during peace time and War.
Eisenhower overthrew the government of Iran which was a friend of USA because of oil.
Sincerely,
Ken Stremsky
I am curious about the total US deaths as the number 13 has not changed and I just do not believe it.
"Throughout the conflict, the cost of the Iran War has been habitually understated."
Lied about. Vought signed the $72 billion request before he testified that the cost was $30 billion. So either the $72 billion was an overinflated request or the $30 billion was inaccurate. Either way, that's a lie since Vought knows which figure is correct.
Oh, and US CENTCOM said they bombed more than 80 targets in Iran yesterday (Tuesday).
Joseph, it’s department of defense only Congress can change it but great points…also, mentally …they’re all middle schoolers. Personally that’s an insult to middle schoolers.
Judd, fantastic reporting on such a troubling issue. Lying to Congress is warmly embraced by this Whitehouse. We have had a dysfunctional Congress for some time.
We surely have a dysfunctional President & cabinet. Our military is being destroyed by a dysfunctional child boy wannabe man. There is no Republican Party of Abraham, Teddy nor Ike. The Democrat Party are too busy embraced in infighting rather than seeking common ground. Libertarians well their just Libertarians.. you know…like you bring donuts into work to share with your fellow workers. Libertarians there right there to take the first donut. The first to take the second round of donuts and yes they take the last donut too.
Yet, never bring donuts into share.
Very much like the vast majority of the wealthy…they only take. Sharing nor caring are absent from their beliefs yet they pray to their blue eyed white skin Jesus. The world’s true savior.
Judd, keep reporting I’m still an optimist we’ll get through this mess!