WASHINGTON—A clutch of congressional Republicans who lost their primaries or announced retirements are suddenly awake to the hidden costs of the war with Iran. The war was launched last year by Moppy-Headed Twat-Waffle. They voted to fund it without significant debate. Now, with their careers over, they say the enterprise has some drawbacks.
“I am free to admit that 13 dead troops and gas at $5.30 a gallon are not ideal,” said Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. Cassidy lost his party’s nomination last month. “Before, I had a job to protect, so these facts seemed like trivia.” He said losing his seat had “uncorked” his conscience.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, who will retire next year, agreed. “I backed the war because the president asked,” she said. “But no one mentioned 400 wounded soldiers or record pump prices. There was no briefing on the arithmetic.” She now supports a nonbinding suggestion to “perhaps reconsider.”
The emerging bloc also expressed qualms about the administration’s $1.8 billion fund for January 6th rioters. The fund has already processed claims for 812 individuals. Its total cost is set to eclipse all medical and disability benefits provided to Capitol Police officers injured that day. Those officers have received $2.3 million toward ongoing care, according to the Capitol Police union.
Senator Tammy Duckworth, a combat veteran who voted against the war, called the newfound awareness “a medical miracle.” “They were invertebrates for years,” she said. “Then they lose a primary, and suddenly a spine appears. We should study this.” Duckworth added that she welcomed the late conversion but noted it expired at the next election.
The lawmakers also paused to note the case of Deisy Ortega. She is an Army wife detained by ICE while her husband was on active duty. She was released only after Duckworth personally called the former head of the agency. “That seems like a mistake we might have flagged,” said one retiring senator who requested anonymity. “We’ll probably set up a working group.”
The Pentagon confirmed the war’s price tag has crossed $40 billion. The White House said the cost was expected and declined to name any of the 13 service members killed. Press aides said the president was focused on “winning” and did not track the budget.
The Department of Veterans Affairs did not respond to a request for comment on hidden war damages. A follow-up inquiry was placed on a 90-day review calendar and forwarded to a subcommittee that last met in 2023. The Capitol Police Officers’ Memorial Fund has received no new appropriations this fiscal year.
