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McHugh Receives Assurances from President Obama on Iraq Troop Withdrawals
Troop Redeployment Tempo Will Be Revisited if Conditions on the Ground Deteriorate
Washington, D.C. – In a meeting at the White House this evening, U.S. Congressman John M. McHugh (R-NY) secured a commitment from the Commander in Chief that the planned troop withdrawal from Iraq will be revisited if events on the ground warrant. McHugh, the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Congressional leaders met with President Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretary of Defense Gates, and Admiral Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to discuss the President’s plan to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq by August 2010.
Ranking Member McHugh’s statement follows:
“The President’s objective to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq is one that we should pray for, plan for, and work toward. However, I remain concerned that the security situation in Iraq is fragile, and we should work to mitigate any risks to our troops and their mission.
“I specifically raised these points with the President this evening, and he assured me that he will revisit his plan if the situation on the ground deteriorates and violence increases. Iraq faces significant challenges in 2009, including the national parliamentary election in December. Our commanders must have the flexibility they need in order to respond to these challenges, and President Obama assured me that there is a ‘Plan B’.”