Mike Pence: “Operation Iraqi Freedom has been a historic success, a military victory of astonishing proportions in its decisiveness…”

“Operation Iraqi Freedom has been a historic success, a military victory of astonishing proportions in its decisiveness as well as its compassion on the civilian population. In the next 2 weeks, the President of the United States has come to Congress to ask for some $87 billion to continue the work, and well we should. Extending every dollar to make sure our troops have the resources they need to get the job done and come home safe should be Congress' top priority. But with regard to the investment in civil society, the reconstruction dollars, some $20.3 billion, I rise respectfully, Mr. Speaker, to say that we should ask the people of Iraq and their future generations to partner with us, to structure reconstruction dollars as a loan, and give the Iraqi people the opportunity to invest along with us in their own peace and stability and democracy as full partners in their future.”