Published: 04-10-08
WASHINGTON DC – Today Congressman Mike Conaway (TX-11) listened in the House Armed Services Committee as General David Petraeus and Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker delivered their testimony on the status of the progress in Iraq. Conaway made this statement following today’s hearing:
“General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker made it clear that the progress that we have made in Iraq is significant but if we do not proceed with care that progress could be reversed. The Iraqi government met 12 of the 18 set benchmarks and have made significant progress on five others.
It is predicted that one year from now the U.S. will be giving Iraq half of the support that we currently are. It is important for us to allow the successes in Iraq to grow into a functional democracy and give our help when needed. We must acknowledge these successes focus on future stability and democracy and pass a clean troop funding bill and FISA legislation in the House to keep our troops and Americans at home safe.
“While Democrats in Washington continue their unconstructive criticism consistently pushing for withdrawal from Iraq our men and women in uniform continue to achieve great successes and diligently press forward with the mission in Iraq. The fight for a democratic Iraq and against the violent Islamic jihadists is one that we must continue to pursue.
Freedom does not come cheap and is especially hard on our soldiers and their families; but the vast improvements that have been made in Iraq have been due to the dedication and work of our soldiers. The gift of freedom that our men and women fight for every day to give the Iraqi people is priceless and does not go unnoticed.”
