Boehner Statement on Speaker's Decision to Skip Petraeus Briefing

Via email:

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement after ABC News reported that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) would refuse to attend a bipartisan briefing on Iraq from Army General David Petraeus:

"It is shameful that while our troops wake up every morning and courageously face death in defense of our freedom, the politicians in charge of Congress can't even find the time to meet face-to-face with their commander. The Speaker found time to meet with the President of a state sponsor of terrorism but somehow can't find the time to meet with the American general in charge of our troops fighting the Global War on Terror. This is just the latest example of Democrats willfully ignoring the consequences of retreat, both for the region and for the safety and security of the American people."

NOTE: Tonight, ABC News reported that Speaker Pelosi has decided to skip the briefing provided by General Petraeus for all House members, Republican and Democrat. The decision comes a week after Democratic leaders initially declined the Defense Department's offer of a members-only, classified briefing with Petraeus.