Senate Democrats have requested that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) examine the Trump administration's estimates of costs associated with the Iran war. A group of 20 lawmakers, including Senators Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer, and Jeff Merkley, argue that the administration's public estimates are significantly lower than independent analyses, which suggest costs could be tens of billions of dollars higher. In a letter to CBO Director Phillip Swagel, the senators expressed concerns about the administration's transparency regarding war expenses.
The Pentagon's reported costs for the conflict have increased from $25 billion to $29 billion, despite a ceasefire being in effect. The Democrats highlighted that the Pentagon's figures do not account for additional expenses related to damage to military installations and equipment in the region. Outside estimates of the war's total costs range from $35 billion to approximately $72 billion when considering factors such as rising energy prices and long-term veteran care.
This request comes as the political and economic implications of the ongoing conflict intensify ahead of the November midterm elections. The CBO has not confirmed whether it will investigate the war's costs, but it typically responds to requests from congressional leaders. CBO officials have noted challenges in obtaining information from the Pentagon, but Schumer's leadership role may elevate the priority of this inquiry.
