Along with the $48 billion appropriated by Congress for reconstruction since 2003, Iraqis have budgeted $50.6 billion and international donors have pledged $15.8 billion. Though Iraqis have budgeted the money, they have a poor record of actually spending it. U.S. officials say that is largely because they lack expertise in budgeting and financial management.
I do wish reporters would apply a bit more critical thinking to what "U.S. officials" tell them, both given their track record and the often utterly idiotic things they say.