Lautenberg Statement on President Obama's Iraq Troop Withdrawal Announcement

Statement

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) today released the following statement after President Obama announced an end to America's combat mission in Iraq and a withdrawal of all of our troops by the end of the year:

"It is welcome news that America's military role in Iraq will come to an end this year," stated Lautenberg, an Army veteran. "Our troops have fought valiantly for nearly nine years and should be honored for their service, but the time for them to come home is long overdue. The war in Iraq was a costly mission that claimed too many precious lives and wounded thousands of our nation's brave men and women in uniform. I am pleased that President Obama has decided to bring this war to an end and I will continue working to ensure our service members and veterans have the resources and support they need while they are deployed and when they return home."

Senator Lautenberg has been a long-time advocate for a plan to responsibly bring our troops home from Iraq. In June 2006, he was one of only 13 Senators to vote in support of an amendment, which called on the President to begin redeploying U.S. troops out of Iraq.

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