US military spent $1.6bn in ME since October, but lacks budget to pay
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A Politico report cites US officials as saying that Congress's failure to approve a military budget is hindering the army's ability to pay the unanticipated expenses.
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The Navy's next-generation aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives at Naval Station Norfolk and approaches its berth next to the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, left, and USS George Washington, after returning from Builder's Sea Trials and seven days underway, in Northfolk, Va., Friday, April 14, 2017 (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni/U.S. Navy via AP)
The Pentagon estimates that the military deployment in the Middle East following the launch of the Israeli war on Gaza last October will cost $1.6 billion, but the department won't be able to pick up the cheque due to Congress's inability to pass a budget, Politico reported on Wednesday citing US officials.
Expenses included dispatching additional warships, fighter jets, and other hardware to the region, and maintaining their presence there for the last 4 months.
However, the expected costs do not include missiles the United States is using to launch attacks on Yemen or intercept their drones or missiles over the Red Sea, the officials added.
Read more: Attacks on Yemen will not deter Sanaa: Western media
In a year, the cost is expected to soar to a staggering $2.2 billion.
This comes as intense discussions are taking place in the Senate before sending to Congress over a $100 billion budget requested by President Joe Biden, which includes assistance to the Israeli occupation entity, Taiwan, and Ukraine.
Read more: US 'unreliable' to protect international maritime trade, FT says
Can't wait
But since Republicans and Democrats failed so far to agree on a full-year spending budget for the Pentagon, the army will not be able to pay for the unanticipated expenditures.
Top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Susan Collins, said the military cannot wait.
“They need it sooner. They’re fast running out of funds,” she said referring to the US Central Command CENTCOM.
The $1.6 billion were spent as follows according to Politico, the spending was as follows: $708.6 million for operations and maintenance, $528.4 million for procurement costs, $51.9 million for research, development, test, and evaluation, a transportation bill of $248.5 million, and $29.2 million for military servicemembers,
Meanwhile, expected spending if the operations continue for a full year is at $2.2 billion, with approximately $600 million in increased expenses: operations and maintenance are seen at $940.7 million, $549.8 million for transportation, procurement at $531.4 million, while $96.1 million for research, development, test, and evaluation, and military members at $47.2 million.
