WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) was in Iraq today, as part of a six-member congressional delegation to the country. Cantor issued the following statement on the delegation visit:

“Our men and women in the Armed Forces have continued to successfully carry out their mission in Iraq under the steadfast leadership of General Petraeus and General Odierno. Each of us had great interest in witnessing American and Iraqi progress directly in the wake of last week’s successful and peaceful provincial elections. I also look forward to receiving updates on the execution and implementation of the Strategic Framework Agreement and the Status of Forces Agreement which the U.S. and Iraqi governments signed January 01, 2009.

“With each milestone we reach on our progressive path toward success in Iraq, we take a step closer to strengthening the independence of the Iraqi people and slowly bringing our brave men and women home to their families. It is without question that the honor, courage and dedication of our Armed services has been the key to attaining our successes in Iraq.

“It’s important that we recognize our success in Iraq, but also that we realize our work is not yet finished. Lawmakers and officials in Washington must continue to listen to our military leaders on the ground and provide our men and women in the field with the tools necessary to maintain our collective achievement. As we hear plans from the Administration to increase our strength in Afghanistan, I am mindful that this increase must not come at the cost of the hard-fought success and stability that has been gained in Iraq,” stated Cantor.

NOTE: Members of the Congressional delegation include Republican Leader John Boehner, Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), Armed Services Committee Ranking Republican John McHugh (R-NY), Intelligence Committee Ranking Republican Pete Hoekstra (R-MI), and Reps. Tom Latham (R-IA) and Jo Bonner (R-AL).

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