Boehner wraps up Congressional visit to Iraq to assess progress, next steps
Washington (CNN) - House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, led a six-member congressional delegation to Iraq this weekend. The trip came at a crucial time for Iraq, as the last U.S. forces are scheduled to depart the country by year's end.
Boehner issued the following statement on the delegation visit:
"Just four years ago, a terrorist insurgency was killing innocent civilians and wreaking havoc across the country. Today Iraq is a different country. By taking the fight to al-Qaeda, the insurgency, and other terrorist threats, our men and women in uniform succeeded in providing greater security to the Iraqi population and giving the government the time to build capacity to more effectively meet the needs of the Iraqi people. Our members were able to see this progress firsthand.
"As a result of the significant progress that has been made, the drawdown of U.S. troops that began under the previous administration has been able to continue. Our first priority must be ensuring that the remaining 46,000 U.S. forces and their civilian counterparts that are working with the Government of Iraq and advising and assisting the Iraqi Security Forces have the resources and support they need to complete their mission.
"It is also critically important that we continue to assist and engage with the Iraqi Government to ensure that the hard-fought gains in a post-combat Iraq translate into long-term success. Iraq is critical to our immediate and long-term national security interests, and we must protect the economic, political, and security progress that has been made. The delegation focused on the issues expected to determine how the Government of Iraq and the United States proceed during the transition this year and how we will continue to work to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship moving forward which fully respects Iraq's sovereignty and reflects core U.S. interests and values.
"This discussion about progress in Iraq wouldn't have been possible were it not for the courage and sacrifices made by our troops and diplomats, as well as their families. We give thanks for all that they have done, and continue to do, to advance freedom abroad and strengthen our security at home."
Joining Speaker Boehner on the delegation visit were Reps. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas; Mike Conaway, R-Texas; Tom Rooney, R-Florida; Joe Heck, R-Nevada; and Dan Boren, D-Oklahoma. While in Iraq, the delegation met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Ambassador James Jeffrey, and senior military leaders.
If Mr. Boehner would "see to the needs" of the American citizens as much as he does for those outside this country, we may not be in the predicament that we presently are.
Ah, no Mr. Speaker. We should have never gone in the first place. You are NOT in charge. I can't wait until 2012. You will be gone!
The GOP get a hardon thinking of endless war, is He about ready to cry?
I miss NANCY PELOSI, She was a great leader and knew EXACTLY how to get things done for the people, NOT CORPORATIONS!!!
Yes he is happy because he wipes out Middle class pocket gave to Iraqis
Yes he is happy families of men and women who sacrifice their life for Iraqis freedom struggling to pay their bills here
This CLOWN considers Corporations as people,WE LOSE.
did you know these wars drained economy....Deficit, deficit, these are the old problems, not new...o.k, created by GOP, not Obama....I think Obama is doing excellent on these problems...he is tackling very well....o.k. we need to get out of wars, and not to go close to these muslim nations...o.k....change your foreign policy...you are better off....god bless...
I sure hope he didn't tell them to fight like a girl. I also hope he didn't break down and bawl like a little girl on foreign soil.
what the hell is boner going to do about Iraq? This is just political grandstanding plain and simple
Congratulations Mr. Boener – Mission Accomplished...1 trillion $, 8 years, and thousands of American lives later. What was the purpose of going to Iraq??? Maybe you should ask yourself why the Republican Party doubled Defense spending in just the past 10 years alone. So the Fruitloops claim Iraq was a "necessity" to help Dick Cheney make a boatload of $...then claim we can't afford to spend any $ in Libya for an operation that is less than 1% of the cost of Iraq.
Notice this Guy always wears a florecent tie to go along with His florecent tan?
I can hardly wait to see the unedited videos of what their trip was REALLY like!
Keep him there while he's there! Abu Greb! Don't worry, he will probably start crying and ask for a cigarette!
I don,nt pay attention to Bohner,he lied during the campaign last November about "Jobs". He "fell down on the job. But I do want to say,If Candy Crowley continues to give "Nutbags a free stage to Spew their non-sense with no rebuttal from her? She Stages identitys such as Trump,Rand Paul,Teaparty extremist,Bachmann,and more, they Bash our President in a sickening way, CNN, Be bipartisan or lose 2 veiwers? OBAMA 2012!
I don't recall Bush drawing down any troops in Iraq, but I do recall him sending in more troops. Furthermore, I don't appreciate Boehner talking up Bush like he's some kind of hero that got us into this mess just because Boehner voted 100% of the time with him. Boehner is a disgrace to our troops and is a disgrace to Americans.
Anyone think the troops will actually leave? I do not.
That right MR. Boehner we can spend money on Iraq ,but we can 't on the Poor and the OLD here in America. The first thing Is we shouldn't have been there in the first place. Second sure you Republican will said we need to keep Troop their and spend more money there, Because you Republican started that war so It ok. It been over ten year now MR.Boehner how must have American people spend there so far about 10 trillion dollars and how many American life. Why Is It every time I hear you Republican talk about the budget, you Republican never say any thing about the two war we are In for over ten year. You don't think we could save money if we Got are TROOP OUT and many American life to. Than maybe you wouldn't have to take these thing away from the Poor and the Old. You Republican can't make your mind up any how , you complain when President didn't do any In Libyan. Now you are complain because we waited to get other country to help us, now you saying he shouldn't have done anything. One thing I understand now Is No matter want President Obama does it Isn't going to be good enough for you Republican, because you Republican and The Tea Party can't get by Is skin Color. Mr. Boehner you and all the Republican and tea party people in the Congress and the Senate need to go In 2012. And you better vote for to rise the dept ceiling with out any other thing to go with It. They are to many people going to be hurt you If you don't rise the dept ceiling, and that mean the American troop, the Old and most of all AMERICA, you talk now about people not working now see what happen If you don't vote to rise It.
What does Boehner need to go to Iraq for? He knows nothing about the situation except for protecting the lying Bush who started this fraudulent war, And here I thought Republicans were so focused on NO wasteful spending? Boehner in Iraq – what a waste of money. Boehner cannot even run or lead the House so what can he contribute to Iraq? Guess he wanted to go work on his suntan.
I want Nancy Peloisi back – she is a REAL leader and got a ton of important legisltion done.
It is called an inflated ego!
In today's article, Boehner stated that the "drawdown of U.S. troops began under the Bush administration"! Is that a true statement? I would like a fact check, true or false.
TG
Tef:
I agree with you Crowley should be on Fox, she is so Right wing I won't even listen to her. Why did they not go to Afghanistan that is where all the
slaughtering is going on. If the people of Ohio re-elect Bonehead they are truly dumb. He is disgusting as well as stupid. He wanted Nancy's job and now that he has it he doesn't know what to do with it. A true LOSER.
Five repugs and one semi-dem. Was the trip paid for by the rep party??
John bonehead seems to have a real problem with facts. Troop draw-down started by the previous administration?
Bohner, you should have brought back some Iraqi OIL will you were there? Wall Street would of given ya a big Kiss for that! Maybe you could have sold it on the market,and give all those Billions to our Brave Troops who "Put their lives on the line for 10 years now!! Republican WMD mistake?
Queen Nan in Scadanavia, Rome, not to mention scarfing a military aircraft EVERY weekend for her jaunts back to San Francisco and you lib trash have a problem with the new Speaker going to where we have troops deployed in a war zone? As usual, you guys are the poster children for hypocracy!
Stay there you creep!