Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, hears testimony from General David H. Petraeus and U.S Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan C. Crocker updating Congress on the progress and failures of President Bush’s strategy on the Iraq war.

 "Our troops have achieved a military success in ousting Saddam Hussein and assisting the Iraqis in administering a democratic election and electing a democratic government. Unfortunately, there is no military solution to Iraq’s ongoing political and sectarian conflicts.  Though President Bush continues to rely on a strategy that seeks to stabilize and reconcile Iraq by force, only the Iraqi government can secure a lasting peace,” stated Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

 “Thus far, the Iraqi government has demonstrated an inability or an unwillingness to deliver on the political benchmarks that they themselves agreed were essential to achieving national reconciliation,” said Congresswoman Jackson Lee.  “Continuing to put the lives of our soldiers and our national treasury in the hands of what, by most informed accounts- even by members of the Bush Administration- is an ineffective central Iraqi government, is irresponsible and contrary to the wishes of the overwhelming majority of the American people.”

 “It is pure fantasy to imagine that President Bush’s military surge has created the necessary safety and security to meet economic, legislative, and security benchmarks.  It is time for a new strategy, a new plan that will encourage Iraqis to take charge of their own destiny, seek constructive and sustained regional engagement, and substitute the ill-advised military surge for a thoughtful diplomatic one.  It is time to be realistic and pragmatic, to recognize that our troops achieved what they were initially sent in for and that continued U.S. military engagement is not bringing about the desired results,” added Congresswoman Jackson Lee.

"Our military men and women have fought courageously in a war that can only be won diplomatically,” continued Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. “A vast majority of the American people believe that enough is enough and it is time for this war to end. As a senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, it is my duty to ensure that we receive all the facts about the progress in the Iraq war, upholding my commitment to fight for the best interests of our troops and the American people to end this war.”

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