Sen. Merkley states “American people deserve to know the true cost of Trump’s war with Iran” as lawmakers push independent review amid growing concerns over spending estimates

Oregon – Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley said the American public deserves full transparency regarding the financial impact of the ongoing war in Iran, warning that inconsistent government estimates are raising serious concerns about the true cost of the conflict.

“The American people deserve to know the true cost of Trump’s war with Iran,” Merkley said in a social media post on June 7, 2026. His statement echoed broader concerns raised by a coalition of Democratic lawmakers who are urging an independent, nonpartisan review of war-related spending.

The push comes as Merkley, along with Senator Ron Wyden and several other lawmakers, supports a Congressional effort requesting that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) provide a comprehensive assessment of the total cost of the war, formally referred to in reports as Operation Epic Fury. Lawmakers argue that public estimates released by the Trump administration have been inconsistent and incomplete, making it difficult for Congress and taxpayers to understand the full financial burden of the conflict.

In a formal letter sent to the CBO, senators including Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer, and others joined Merkley and Wyden in raising concerns about discrepancies in official cost reporting. The letter cites multiple government and independent assessments that vary widely, with early Department of Defense testimony placing costs around $25 billion, later revised to approximately $29 billion.

However, independent analysts and investigative reporting have suggested significantly higher totals. Some estimates cited in the letter place the cost closer to $40–50 billion when accounting for damaged infrastructure and military equipment losses in the region. Other analyses, including work from defense and policy research organizations, suggest the total cost could range from $35 billion to as high as $72 billion within the first 60 days of the conflict when broader operational and indirect costs are included.

Lawmakers argue that the differences between official and independent estimates highlight the need for a neutral, nonpartisan “scorekeeper” to determine the true fiscal impact of the war. They emphasize that accurate accounting is necessary for proper congressional oversight and informed public debate, particularly as reports indicate the administration may seek additional funding that could reach $200 billion on top of a $1.5 trillion defense budget request.

Merkley and his colleagues say the issue extends beyond budgeting concerns, pointing to potential long-term economic impacts such as increased energy prices and future veteran care costs. They argue that incomplete reporting could obscure the long-term financial obligations created by military engagement.

“The American people deserve to know the true costs of this conflict, and they deserve transparency and honesty when their government commits the nation to war,” the lawmakers wrote in their joint letter to the Congressional Budget Office.

Support for the effort spans a wide coalition of Senate Democrats, including Senators Warren, Schumer, Durbin, Duckworth, Gillibrand, Kaine, and others, alongside House lawmakers from multiple states. Together, they are urging the CBO to produce a comprehensive, independent analysis that captures both immediate military spending and long-term fiscal consequences.

Policy analysts cited in the letter warn that without standardized reporting, cost estimates can vary widely depending on whether they include equipment losses, base reconstruction, and indirect economic effects. This, lawmakers argue, further underscores the importance of establishing a clear and consistent framework for evaluating war spending.

As the debate continues, Merkley has maintained that transparency is essential for democratic accountability, particularly when it comes to decisions involving large-scale military operations and taxpayer funding commitments.