WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth), Vice Chair of the Republican Conference, today made the following statement in response to House Majority Whip James Clyburn’s comments in a Washington Post interview yesterday that if General Petraues gave a positive progress report on Iraq to Congress in September, “it would be a problem for us.”  

 

“I am disappointed by the recent comments made by Congressman Clyburn. I believe our troops deserve better than to hear comments like this coming out of Washington.

 

“We must all be invested in success in Iraq and I look forward to hearing from General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker in September.  Our current mission in Iraq is a difficult one, but it is one I believe we can and must win.  The consequences of failure are far too grave for our nation to not do everything in our power to achieve victory. 

 

“The men and women who wear our nation’s uniform have performed brilliantly, and we are seeing positive military results on the ground as a result of the surge.  However, our diplomatic, political and economic efforts have fallen far short of its goals.  Time is of the essence.  We must begin a diplomatic and political offensive in order to secure the gains we are making on the military front.

 

“I believe that the will of the American people is strong, and despite our political differences, we all want to succeed in every mission we send our men and women in uniform to accomplish.  I urge my colleagues to set aside the political differences that divide us. Now is the time to come together and show the world and our enemies that our determination is strong and we are united.”