Joe Pitts: “today is a historic day for democracy and freedom. Iraqis go to the polls to democratically elect the 275 seats of the…”

“today is a historic day for democracy and freedom. Iraqis go to the polls to democratically elect the 275 seats of the new Iraqi Council of Representatives. The newly elected Council will then select a Prime Minister, a Presidency Council, and a Cabinet of Ministers. By any measure, today's elections are remarkable. In just under 3 years, 26 million Iraqis have gone from brutal tyranny to representative democracy. A ruthless and dangerous dictator has been removed, and the stabilizing influence of democracy is taking root in a region desperately in need of it. This progress is a fitting tribute to the brave men and women in uniform who have sacrificed so much to see this day realized. There is more work to be done and there will be more setbacks to overcome, but this is tremendous progress. I salute them. ____________________”