McKeon Responds to Testimony by General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker

Press Release

McKeon Responds to Testimony by General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Army General David H. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker presented their long-awaited report on the Baghdad Security Plan or "troop surge" in Iraq before members of Congress at the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) hearing. In response to the Petraeus-Crocker findings, Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, senior Republican member of HASC, made the following statement:

"Today's report by General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker on the troop surge in Iraq has provided us the opportunity to go beyond partisan politics so we can achieve victory and ultimately return home.

"I have consistently expressed the need for us to allow our military leaders a chance to do their jobs. Politicians in Washington shouldn't be dictating military maneuvers to these trained professionals; instead, we should be providing our soldiers the resources they need to succeed.

"General Petraeus is a well respected leader with incredible credentials who was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate to lead this mission, and I have faith in him and his professional opinions. Today's evaluation came right from the front-lines of this ongoing battle. It was an honest and forthcoming report that we should take seriously.

"I think it is important to note that before Petraeus ever left Iraq, Democrats began discrediting his name and his integrity. Frankly, I think it's shameful. Before today's report was even released, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) claimed the war in Iraq was lost, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) said a good report from Gen. Petraeus in Iraq would be "a real big problem" and would make it difficult to pass a timetable to end the war," and today, MoveOn disgraced General Petraeus by calling him "General Betray Us" in a advertisement on the pages of the New York Times.

"While there is still much work to be done, the Petraeus-Crocker report indicates the troop surge is making a positive impact on the situation in Iraq. Truck bomb attacks are down 50 percent since we increased troop levels and there has been a 75 percent reduction in religious and ethnic killings over the past year. These gains seem difficult for naysayers to accept, but it is important that we unite on this front and reach a successful end to the War.

"We should also keep in mind that none of us want war and none of us want terrorists roaming free to cause harm to the innocent. Our military leaders know best what needs to be done, and we should stop tying their hands and allow them to finish the job. I thank General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker for sitting with us today under incredible scrutiny and providing us an honest assessment of the Baghdad Security Plan."

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