Tester statement on Senate vote to begin debating Iraq policy

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted 89-9 to begin debating a resolution to revise U.S. policy in Iraq:

"For months I've said our troops deserve an open and honest debate about the direction of the war in Iraq.  Today's action is a good first step.  For too long the Senate has debated whether to debate the course of the war.  Now we have a chance to do what Montanans sent me to Washington to do.  Our country can no longer afford to wait."