Here is Sen. Susan Collins' statement on Iraq. Maine's junior Republican senator calls on House and Senate leaders to put aside partisan politics and come up with a bipartisan solution to change the mission in Iraq to "allow for a significant draw down of our troops."

Here's her statement.

“All Americans should be grateful for the courage, dedication, and professionalism of our troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as for the sacrifices of their families. Our troops have performed magnificently, and it is time for the Iraqis to step up to the plate and take more responsibility for the security of their country.

“I have long maintained that our nation needs a new direction in Iraq. Since last year, Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) and I have advocated a bipartisan plan that would mandate an immediate change in the American mission in Iraq. By shifting the mission of our troops away from the lead combat role, our plan would allow for a significant drawdown of our troops while avoiding the catastrophic consequences of a precipitous withdrawal. Recent votes in the Senate indicate growing support for a change in the mission of our troops, similar to what Senator Nelson and I have advocated. As we seek to chart a new course, it is my hope that leaders in both the House and Senate will put aside partisan politics and adopt bipartisan proposals to guide our policy in Iraq.”

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