$495 Billion Spent in Iraq Occupation
GAO Cites Billions as Misappropriated

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The Government Accountability Office (GAO) admonished the DOD’s “Global War on Terrorism” (GWOT), for the 3rd year, citing a lack of transparency and accountability for the over $495 billion appropriated to this program so far. “Operation Iraqi Freedom” represents over $300 billion of that Federal spending; but according to their own report, “problems with the processes for recording and reporting GWOT costs raise concerns that these data may not accurately reflect the true dollar value of war-related costs.”

The GAO expects the Federal government to ‘incur significant costs in the foreseeable future’ even if there is a significant troop withdrawal. Already the Iraqi occupation sets a high precedent for the number of private contractors in charge of operations there. The GAO cited contractors, specifically, for reporting large billing obligations in “miscellaneous” categories.

The DOD has not provided transparent and reliable data on reporting cost to the GAO despite Congressional and Presidential mandate making it difficult for the reporters to accurately reflect the true cost of this occupation. Looking at the overall Federal budget the GAO expects decision-makers to “consider difficult trade-offs as the Nation faces an increasing number of long-range fiscal challenges.”

In the face of these difficult challenges Peace Action and a coalition of organizations have continued our campaign to cut funding for the occupation. You can learn more about this campaign at the Peace Action website. Take action today, and reassert your commitment to fund human needs not militaristic dominance.