Congressman Lincoln Davis Returns from Official CODEL to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait January 16, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, Congressman Lincoln Davis (D-TN) arrived from Kuwait having completed a CODEL (Congressional Delegation visit) to the Middle East on behalf of the House Financial Services Committee. As Chair of the delegation, Davis led fellow Congress Members Marsha Blackburn (R-TN,) John Barrow (D-GA,) Brad Miller (D-NC,) Nikki Tsongas (D-MA,) and Tim Walberg (R-MI) to visit with troops and military officials, as well as to assess the state of financial institutions in the Middle East.

"I was excited to have the opportunity to lead this visit to the Middle East," said Congressman Davis. "Our troops have done 100% of what we've asked of them, and now it's time for the Iraqi people and Iraqi government to begin taking more responsibility for their security, their economy and the country as a whole. How this happens will determine our level of involvement in Iraq from now on, but American troops and American treasure cannot bear the burden of this conflict indefinitely."