**Congressman Geoff Davis**

**1108 Longworth House Office Building**

**Washington, D.C. 20515**

[**www.geoffdavis.house.gov**](http://www.geoffdavis.house.gov/)

**For Immediate Release:** **Media Contact:**

April 15, 2008 Alexandra Haynes

\(202\) 225-3465 -- office

\(202\) 593-1635 -- cell

**Progress in Iraq**

\- A column by Congressman Geoff Davis

On April 8^th^ and 9^th^, General David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to
Iraq Ryan Crocker testified before Congress about the current political
and security situation in Iraq. According to both officials, progress in
Iraq is significant, but reversible. As a senior Army commander told me
recently, "We simply cannot walk out of the Middle East now."

Since General Petraeus' strategy was implemented last year, violence in
Iraq has declined and terrorists have been denied safe havens. In
addition, the Iraqi Council of Representatives and the Presidency
Council have enacted a budget and passed important laws to bring
political reconciliation to Iraq. Perhaps most importantly, the
government of Iraq has met twelve of the eighteen political, economic
and military benchmarks established in 2007. In fact, two weeks ago, the
Iraqi government responded on its own initiative to restore security to
the southern Iraqi city of Basra. It is far from perfect, but the
situation in Iraq is demonstratively different than it was a year ago.

During the House Armed Services Committee hearing, General Petraeus
stated, "Security in Iraq is better than it was when we reported to you
last September, and it is significantly better than it was fifteen
months ago when Iraq was on the brink of civil war and the decision was
made to deploy additional U.S. forces to Iraq." According to Ambassador
Crocker, "Immense challenges remain and progress is uneven and often
frustratingly slow, but there is progress. Sustaining that progress will
require continuing U.S. resolve and commitment... \[but\] the surge is
working."

Despite assurances of progress by these well-respected professionals,
certain critics continue to blame the war in Iraq for unrelated domestic
issues. Rising energy costs and the economic downturn are not results of
our strategy in the Middle East. In truth, the high price of gasoline is
largely a function of increased demand for oil in the global economy.
The U.S. government must advocate a consistent energy strategy that
effectively uses our own resources to increase energy independence and
create more domestic jobs.

As progress continues to be documented in Iraq, it becomes more
difficult for critics to deny that our new strategy is making a
difference. Upon returning from a visit to Iraq in March, Rep. Jim Costa
(D-CA) stated, "I think the violence has been significantly
reduced...We\'ve got a group now that has got the strategy right" (The
Fresno Bee, 3/6/08). Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) admitted, "Democrats
would be making a mistake if we say there haven't been improvements"
(Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2/22/08).

After listening to General Petraeus' testimony, it is clear to me that
turning back now will have dramatic consequences for our national
security and for the future of the Middle East. It is now up to Members
of Congress to ensure our troops have the resources they need to build
on their determined efforts. We must continue to hold the Iraqi
government responsible for the political progress necessary to complete
the task and allow our troops to return home. As one of my good friends
in the Army told me last week, "I want to finish this now so my children
do not have to go back there in ten years."