Congressman Tom Latham takes off this weekend for a fact-finding mission in Iraq.Latham is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, and he says members of the panel are on the trip to ensure the money just set aside for military operations and reconstruction of Iraq are being spent as Congress intended. Latham, who is a republican from Alexander, says he also intends to visit with as many Iowa troops as possible. Latham says he wants to “learn the lay of the land” but most importantly show support for the troops and their mission.” Latham says it “certainly is not going to be a fun trip, by any means” but will be “worthwhile.” Latham says a lot of what you see on TV or hear on the radio is not exactly what is real over there. Latham says he’ll talk with people who are on the front lines to learn what the real situation is and how far the situation in Iraq has advanced. Latham says he’ll go into the trip with an open mind and hope to learn “everything possible.” Another Iowa Congressman, Steve King, traveled to Iraq in October.