President George W Bush is confronting the costs of the Iraq war in lives and dollars, grieving for lost civilians and soldiers while telling lawmakers it will cost at least $70 billion to fight Baghdad.
The White House has for months refused to provide a price tag for war in Iraq, saying too many variables were at play. That stance forced Congress to vote last week on budget resolutions that included Bush's proposed tax cuts, without war costs factored in.
Bush planned to provide the estimate to congressional this evening, ensuring that legislators' discussion of war spending will take place amid a surge of public support for American troops. Aides at the White House and on Capitol Hill said the figure will be between $70 billion and $80 billion.
Congressional aides said it will include $62 billion for the Defense Department for the war and perhaps other expenses related to the fight against terrorism. That sum is based on a vaguely defined, brief period of combat in Iraq.
The bill also is expected to include about $3.5 billion for domestic security programs, such as assistance for police and other emergency workers. It would also pay for stepped-up security for American diplomats, and assistance to U.S. allies Israel, Egypt and Jordan, but not Turkey.