A report released today estimates that the cost of the US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is double what the Bush Administration has directly requested. The Joint Economic Committee’s majority staff report, War at Any Price? The Total Economic Costs of the War Beyond the Federal Budget, includes “hidden” costs such as the drain on economic growth as a result of war-related borrowing, the disruption of oil markets, the future care of injured soldiers and repair costs for the military. The report projects the total costs of the wars to amount to $3.5 trillion between 2003 and 2017, $1 trillion higher than the Congressional Budget Office forecast.

So far, President Bush has asked for $607 billion for the Iraq War, 10 times higher than what the administration estimated before launching its “shock and awe” campaign.

The White House dismissed the report as a partisan smear created to distract from all the “progress” being made in Iraq. “This report was put out by Democrats on Capitol Hill,” press secretary Dana Perino said. “This committee is known for being partisan and political. They did not consult or cooperate with the Republicans on the committee, and so I think it is an attempt to muddy the waters on what has been some positive developments being reported out of Iraq.”

Perino added, “I haven’t seen the report, but it’s obvious the motivations behind it.”

The report estimates that the Iraq War costs a family of four $16,500 between 2002 and 2008. Add in the war in Afghanistan, and the number jumps to $20,900.

The administration has not asked Americans to make any sacrifices, but this report makes clear that we are paying dearly, and will for many years to come.

Click to read full Cost of War Report.

Becci Robbins