Washington - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement tonight after President Bush's speech on Iraq:

"Tonight, President Bush presented an open-ended, no-exit plan for the sons and daughters of America who continue to fight and die in Iraq. This administration has tried to sell us on the search for WMDs, 'Mission Accomplished' and 'last throes', and now it is pitching another proposal that is just 'stay the course' by another name. Going down this path has not made us any safer, it has diverted attention from Osama bin Laden, it has fomented terrorism, it has stretched our military thin and it has cost us dearly in lives and treasure.

"Until the Iraqi government and security forces actually believe we won't be there forever, they will not take control of their country. That makes a timetable for transitioning our mission and bringing our troops home imperative. The alternative is an endless occupation in Iraq with more American blood spilled and no conclusion in sight."

# # #