I don't doubt franken said this what I do doubt is franken going to Iraq
Al Franken goes to entertain the Iraqi troops, while bashing them at home, because he can use the cheer line on his radio program that he cares about the troops in his entertaining activities. His USO visits just serve as a cheer line for him. He cares nothing for the troops.
Read "Pants on Fire" for the explanation of his visits.