Tester: Iraq decision will strengthen U.S. security and save taxpayers billions

Senator called for on-time withdrawal in September

(U.S. SENATE) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement in response to the President's announcement to remove all U.S. Operation New Dawn troops from Iraq by year's end as originally planned:

"This announcement is an acknowledgment of the success of America's troops. I asked the President to stick to the plan to bring them home from Iraq because America's interests are best served by letting Iraq's people rebuild their own country. This decision will save taxpayers billions of dollars, but we must not forget that there are thousands of Americans still in harm's way in Afghanistan and around the world. Sharla and I will always be grateful for their service and sacrifice."

Tester in September called on the President and Congress to bring all Operation New Dawn troops home from Iraq by December 31, saying “they should not be in Iraq one minute more than is necessary.”

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