What happened
The ongoing conflict with Iran has resulted in significant costs for taxpayers, with estimates suggesting over $38 billion has been spent in the first five months of the war. This expense is attributed to various factors, including the depletion of US weapons stockpiles and increased military operations.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported that the cost to replace missiles and air defenses alone was estimated to be around $21.7 billion. This includes $13.1 billion for missile interceptors, $7.3 billion for cruise missiles, and $1.2 billion for other munitions.
The conflict is also having an impact on the economy, with inflation expected to increase by 0.5% in the first three months of 2027. Gas prices have soared since the war began, with the average price of regular gas reaching $4.36 as of recently.
The war has also become a political issue, with President Donald Trump's approval ratings on the economy remaining low. A war powers resolution was passed in the House, calling on the president to remove US forces from hostilities in Iran, and a Republican representative has announced plans to force a vote on impeaching the Secretary of War.
