News from
Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
HERSETH SANDLIN STATEMENT ON PETRAEUS/CROCKER TESTIMONY September 10, 2007, Washington, D.C. – Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin released the following statement today following the testimony of General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker before the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees: “I appreciate today’s testimony from General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker. I want to reiterate the words of Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, who praised both men for their capable service to our nation. “It comes as no surprise that, as General Petraeus testified today, we have seen some security improvements in parts of Baghdad over the past few months. I have never doubted that sending tens of thousands of additional American troops into any situation across the globe would have a positive effect on security. Our soldiers continue to perform superbly, completing mission after mission and doing everything we have asked of them. “However, like most South Dakotans, I’m sorely disappointed that the objective of the President’s surge strategy – to give the Iraqi government time to reconcile key political differences – has yet to be realized. The inaction and ineffectiveness of the elected leadership in Iraq has resulted in continued danger and loss of life and limb and other injuries for our troops. It has also resulted in increased impatience and skepticism among many here in the United States regarding the Iraqis’ ability to resolve a number of serious and fundamental issues necessary for stability to take hold. “As Congress evaluates the options that remain, I believe we must continue to focus on how best to create the conditions for accountability in Iraq – in both the political and diplomatic realm – while also accounting for the unanticipated demands placed on our military forces.”
# # # Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Natural Resources. In the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin was one of only 15 members appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. |
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