Lost in all the political headlines of a political year, is the fact that our men and women in uniform have made real progress in the fight against terrorists and extremists in Iraq.  Quite simply the surge has worked.  This just goes to show, that when we listen to the generals on the ground, instead of the generals who sit in Congress, our military men and women will succeed. 

This month General David Petreaus will report back to Congress on the progress our soldiers have made in Iraq over the last 6 months.  While I will wait to hear his assessment, the reports out of Iraq have been positive.  From June 2007 through March 2008, sectarian and ethnic violence in Iraq was reduced by 90 percent. Civilian deaths and deaths of coalition forces fell by 70 percent. 

The Iraqis are also standing up for themselves.  Last week they took the lead in all security operations in the Anbar province.  The Iraq Army now has 192 trained combat battalions, 110 of which are taking the lead in combat operations against terrorists and extremists. 

As we train up the Iraqi’s to stand up for themselves, we can begin to bring our soldiers home.  All five combat brigades and the three Marine units that were a part of the surge have been brought home. 

We are making progress towards victory in Iraq. We must have the resolve to complete the mission so we can continue to bring our troops home victorious.