A group of lawmakers in the U.S. House, led by Iowa Republican Steve King, has introduced a resolution outlining the success of 2007 troop surge in Iraq. King sponsored the "Victory in Iraq" resolution, which he admits is a symbolic move to simply send a message to President Obama.
"The message is there has been a definable victory that’s been achieved in Iraq," King said. "But, the battle is not all done. It is a fragile victory that’s been achieved. But, those achievements must be maintained, preserved and enhanced. We stand with President Obama to do so – but we call upon him to make sure we don’t lose those valuable gains that have been paid for at such a high price."
Obama, a U.S. Senator at the time, was opposed to the troop surge. King, who is from Kiron, has visited troops in Iraq six times. His resolution includes 35 co-sponsors and states that 17 of the 18 benchmarks for progress – established by Congress in May 2007 – have been completely or substantially achieved. Last Friday, President Obama says a troop withdrawl from Iraq is underway.
King says he questions if the move is a political decision or a tactical move. "If it’s a tactical decision, I’ll agree that we’re in a position where we can start to move troops out of Iraq," King said. "But, to take them all out and set a timetable…I don’t think that is necessarily the right thing to do."
President Obama said his plan would keep up to 50,000 troops in Iraq for continued counter terrorism missions.