WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, issued the following statement today on President Obama's announcement to complete the transition of armed forces out of Iraq by the end of this year:

"I applaud President Obama for his commitment to bringing the war in Iraq to a close and commend our armed forces and the many other Americans whose exemplary service has made ending the war a reality. I was opposed to the war in Iraq from the beginning. It crippled the global solidarity that existed after 9/11 and distracted us from the mission in Afghanistan. The immense cost of the war has contributed to a debt that we're struggling with today.
 
"Despite this, for nearly a decade our armed forces served honorably in Iraq and got the job done. We must remain mindful of their sacrifice and the obligations we hold to every veteran. As we look to the future and a new Iraq, I agree that the U.S. should maintain a strong diplomatic presence in the region, while working with our allies to ensure the stability of Iraq and the region."