Report: U.S. wasting $12 million per day in Iraq, Afghanistan

Despite the tough financial times, the government has found we are wasting at least $12 million dollars per day in Iraq and Afghanistan. The non-partisan panel responsible for the audit, presented its findings today.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - The Commission on Wartime Contracting documented and researched where U.S. funding for the efforts in both countries was going. Over a three-year period it has accounted for waste totaling $31 to $60 billion, or according to their report, at least $12 million per day. If $31 billion were divided equally among approximately 300 million people in the U.S., it would be a little over $100 per person, your share of the mere waste in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Commissioner Katherine Schinasi spoke at a news conference on Wednesday where she explained her goal was the make the numbers meaningful to people who should be concerned about wasteful spending.  

Her remarks are especially important as the conflict in Libya appears to be at an end. The U.S. is preparing to take a leading role in rebuilding the country so it is likely that similar contracts and programs like those in Iraq and Afghanistan will be implemented. And if reforms are not carried out, they could be just as wasteful.

The report recommends contract reform and better oversight to reduce waste. Dov Zakheim, comptroller at the Defense Department said he believes the waste is much worse than the report, which he felt used conservative estimates. "We also have to think about projects that we start, but are not sure can be finished or sustained. What is the point of spending hundreds of millions on projects that will then fall into disuse?" 

The question is one that the defense department is already grappling with. Last month, it was revealed that the Defense Department had lost millions on the war in Afghanistan with much of the money falling into the hands of the very insurgent groups it was intended to fight. To prevent further waste, the Pentagon has ordered changes in the way it handles contracts. Congress will need to do the same if it is serious about reducing waste. 

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