Republicans qualify support for plan

Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson: "I think the president has a sensible plan, both short- and long term, to empower the Afghan people and allow for U.S. troops to complete their mission and come home.

Republican U.S. Sen. George LeMieux: "I am both encouraged and concerned by the president's remarks. … Additional troops are needed to build security and prevent the Taliban and al-Qaida from again using Afghanistan as a base for terrorism. However, success cannot be measured by a timetable for withdrawal, but rather must be judged by demonstrated accomplishments in the field."

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor: "While the administration must set clear benchmarks for the Afghan government to speed up the training of their own forces, we absolutely should not commit ourselves to artificial time lines …independent of the realities on the ground."

U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fort Myers: "While I am disappointed that President Obama is not committing the full number of troops that Gen. McChrystal had requested, I'm encouraged by the president's announcement today that he is committing approximately 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. While we all want the president's strategy to succeed, the American people need to know that he has the resolve to see our mission through to the end."

U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami: "President Obama's strategic review and subsequent policy decision on Afghanistan puts us on a course for success that we lacked for many years. The decision to wage a second war in Iraq prevented the completion of the mission in Afghanistan. … Our success will be realized when terrorists and their accomplices no longer view Afghanistan as a safe haven."

U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville: "More important than any specific number is that we give the generals the resources they need to finish the job. … Our first priority must always be to deny the Taliban and al-Qaida any safe haven. The United States and NATO forces must send a strong message to Afghanistan and its neighbors that harboring terrorists will not be tolerated."

U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando: "The economy is weak. People are suffering. We've spent more than $10,000 for every man, woman and child in this country, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. We can't afford it anymore. We have to stop thinking about the well-being of the Tajiks, the Pashtuns and the Hazara and instead take care of ourselves."