Democrats Ask Monthly Accounting
Two influential Democrats on Tuesday introduced legislation that would require the Bush Administration to report monthly on the overall cost of the Persian Gulf War and the amount of contributions from Japan, West Germany, Saudi Arabia and other allies.
Reps. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Leon E. Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) sponsored the legislation and said they hope to get backing of the Democratic leadership for its swift approval.
The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that Operation Desert Storm will cost between $28 billion and $86 billion, Schumer said, with another $12 billion already spent for Operation Desert Shield.
“We cannot fight a war, calculate budget needs or make requests of our allies if we cannot assess the costs more specifically,” Schumer told reporters.
Panetta, chairman of the House Budget Committee, said enactment of the bill would keep pressure on the allies to pay their share of the burden.
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