Friday, December 09, 2005 Murtha Reveals: $100bn Request for Iraq Next Yr ThinkProgress: During his response to Bush this afternoon, Murtha revealed (video courtesy of Crooks & Liars here) for the 1st time, that the Pentagon will ask for an additional $100 billion for operations in Iraq next yr: MURTHA: 20 yrs it’s going to take to settle this thing. The American people is not going to put up with it; can’t afford it. We have spent $277 billion. That’s what’s been appropriated for this operation. We have $50 billion sitting on the table right now in our supplemental, or bridge fund we call it, in the Appropriations Committee. (He’s the ranking member of the House Def Approps Subcomm). They’re going to ask for another $100 billion next yr. QUESTION: Can we come back to the $100 billion? You said that you expect the military to ask for $100 billion. Where are you getting that figure? MURTHA: Where I get all my figures: the military. Hmm, I think a new round of tax cuts will help ease this gaping wound, eh? |