This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7092053.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Hidden costs 'raise US war price' | Hidden costs 'raise US war price' |
(38 minutes later) | |
The US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are costing nearly double the amount previously thought, according to a report set to be released by Congress. | The US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are costing nearly double the amount previously thought, according to a report set to be released by Congress. |
Democrats say the wars have cost $1.5 trillion - almost twice the requested $804bn (£402bn) - because of "hidden costs", the Washington Post reports. | Democrats say the wars have cost $1.5 trillion - almost twice the requested $804bn (£402bn) - because of "hidden costs", the Washington Post reports. |
That figure would amount to $20,000 for an average US family of four, it adds. | |
And some of the figures cited in the report were labelled speculative by funding experts, the Post says. | And some of the figures cited in the report were labelled speculative by funding experts, the Post says. |
Among the indicators contributing to the higher cost of the conflicts are higher oil costs and payments to war veterans. | Among the indicators contributing to the higher cost of the conflicts are higher oil costs and payments to war veterans. |
'Lost earnings' | 'Lost earnings' |
The report is expected to be presented to Congress later on Tuesday. | The report is expected to be presented to Congress later on Tuesday. |
The Democratic authors included the costs of treating wounded veterans and mounting interest payments on money borrowed to finance the wars. | The Democratic authors included the costs of treating wounded veterans and mounting interest payments on money borrowed to finance the wars. |
The report calculates that the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost the average US family of four more than $20,000. | The report calculates that the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost the average US family of four more than $20,000. |
It adds that the amount could rise to $46,300 over the next decade, the Washington Post says. | It adds that the amount could rise to $46,300 over the next decade, the Washington Post says. |
The committee's Democrats estimate that treating veterans could add more than $30bn to war costs, including disability payments and lost earnings for veterans affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. | The committee's Democrats estimate that treating veterans could add more than $30bn to war costs, including disability payments and lost earnings for veterans affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. |
Republicans have not yet commented officially on the report. | Republicans have not yet commented officially on the report. |