Defense Secretary Robert Gates has asked Congress for the largest yearly war spending total so far. Speaking before the Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday, Gates asked for $189 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The request is an extra $42 billion more than the Bush administration’s initial projection. It would boost war spending by 15 percent. The cost of both wars would top $800 billion since the 9/11 attacks. Gates also told lawmakers he foresees “a long-term presence” of U.S. troops in Iraq. Under Gates’ plan, at least 35,000 troops would remain indefinitely. Gates’ comments come as former top war commander General George Casey told lawmakers the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are overstretching the military.