September 30, 2002: Congressional Budget Office Says Occupation of Iraq Could Cost Over $272 Billion

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that a “heavy ground war” with three months of fighting, followed by a five-year occupation force could cost more than $272 billion. [Associated Press, 10/1/2002; US Congressional Budget Office, 10/4/2002 ; CNBC, 10/21/2002]