Boehner Statement on the Administration's Interim Progress Report on Iraq

Via email:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the White House released an interim report on the progress of General Petraeus’ new strategy in Iraq . Of the 18 benchmarks outlined in the recent troop funding bill, the report outlines satisfactory progress on eight benchmarks, unsatisfactory progress on eight, and on two benchmarks it is too early to judge. Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) issued the following statement:

“Today’s report provides Americans with a snapshot of the progress, setbacks, and ongoing challenges we face in Iraq . The progress made on reducing violence and improving security in Iraq , after less than one month of full troop strength, has been a positive development. But we need to see more progress from the Iraqi people and their government on key political benchmarks where the progress has not been satisfactory.

“My Democratic friends say they want to withdraw American forces from Iraq immediately, but the bill on the House floor doesn’t do that. Instead, we’re engaged in yet another partisan debate that accomplishes only one thing: it gives our enemies another public relations victory. The Democrats’ bill fails to protect our troops, making them all pawns in a partisan political game, and it publicly undermines General Petraeus just weeks after we gave him the full resources needed to implement the Baghdad Security Plan.

“The American people believe that our military commanders, not Washington politicians, are in the best position to make critical national security decisions and so do Republicans. General Petraeus and our troops are hard at work in their mission now, they deserve our full support, and we look forward to hearing the General’s report and recommendations in September.”

NOTE: A USA Today/Gallup poll conducted July 6-8 said 55 percent of Americans support the idea that Congress should not develop a new policy on Iraq until September when General Petraeus reports on the progress of the U.S. troop surge in Iraq.

Would more progress have been preferred? Sure. But progress is being made. Surrendering is not an option that we should even consider. Boehner's fight to wait for Petreaus' report in September should be easier with this report showing some progress, but those who want to quit will not be deterred...and that includes the White Flag Republicans like RINOvich...