(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul(R-TX) attended a hearing of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs to ask our nation’s top general and chief diplomat on the ground about the progress of our troops in Iraq.

General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker testified to the committee for the first time since September to provide a candid assessment of the status of our mission in Iraq. Since last September, there has been significant security progress in Iraq. Levels of violence and civilian deaths have been reduced substantially, Al Qaeda-Iraq and a number of other extremist elements have been dealt serious blows and the capabilities of Iraqi Security Force elements have grown. 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.

"The success achieved by our troops since General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker last sat before Congress is undeniable. Violence in Iraq is down, Iraqi people are taking greater responsibility for the future of their nation and our troops are beginning to return home. Although we are making great advancements on the ground in Iraq, progress toward political reconciliation has come too slowly and the Iraqi Government must understand that our commitment is not open ended. In order for our troops to maintain the progress they have made and return home, Congress must pass a clean, pork-free funding bill to give our troops the resources they need to continue making progress," stated Congressman McCaul.