Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), a vocal opponent of the U.S. war in Iraq from the outset, hailed today’s announcement by President Obama that all U.S. troops will be withdrawn by the end of this year.

Nadler issued the following statement:

“After nearly nine years, $800 billion, and more than 4,400 American lives and untold numbers of Iraqi lives lost, I am elated to hear that the United States is finally pulling out of Iraq.  We never should have invaded Iraq in the first place.  This divisive and costly war was started by former President Bush in an act of monumental deception, and it has exacted an immense toll on our nation, in terms of human life, taxpayer dollars, and our reputation around the world.  I applaud President Obama for following through on his promise to end this conflict, I thank the thousands of U.S. military personnel who have served, and I join my fellow Americans in honoring the thousands who did not make it home.”

                                                   ###