(WIBW) - Members of Congress are reacting to President Barack Obama's plans to send additional troops to Afghanistan.

Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, released the following statement Tuesday:

“I have long said that in order to finish the missions in both Iraq and Afghanistan, we must trust the advice of our commanders on the ground,” Roberts said. “I am especially confident in experienced leaders like General Petraeus and General Caldwell, who both recently served as the Commanding General at Fort Leavenworth. I have no doubt that General Petraeus is bringing his extensive experience to bear and that General Caldwell is working hard to ensure the Afghan forces will eventually be self sufficient, allowing our troops to come home.

“To be successful, Afghanistan needs to be able to govern and defend itself from terrorists within the country. The key question for the American people, our allies, the people of Afghanistan and especially our adversaries will be whether the President accepts responsibility for what has to be done and through his actions demonstrates that he is fully committed to the difficult task of bringing stability to the region. If this is the case, I support the President’s increase in troop levels. However, I remain concerned that artificial time lines for withdrawal will tie the hands and further endanger our men and women in uniform while emboldening the Taliban and other terrorists. I hope this will not be the case.”

U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, also issued a statement:

"The mission in Afghanistan must succeed,” Moran said. “It remains central to our country’s security that the Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorists be defeated, that Afghanistan govern itself, and that the region be stabilized to prevent a safe haven for those who want to destroy our way of life. Our troops should be given the support necessary to achieve success. The upcoming months will tell us whether these additional resources, as directed by the President, are sufficient.”

U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt offered this reaction:
“The president reached the right conclusion that a broad counterinsurgency strategy is needed to defeat the Taliban and al-Qaeda; however, I am profoundly disappointed in the president’s sluggish approach to this overdue decision. Since the success of the troop surge in Iraq and General McChrystal’s August recommendation of a similar approach in Afghanistan, the way forward has been clear for months. The inexcusable decision-making delays during the past eight months has demonstrated to our troops and the world that President Obama would rather bow to foreign leaders than make tough choices necessary to achieve success in Afghanistan.

“It is imperative we stay in Afghanistan and support our troops with the resources they need until the job is done and the Taliban and al-Qaeda are no longer a threat to the Afghan people, Americans, and our allies— not based on an artificial exit timetable created in the Oval Office.

“Our military servicemen and women around the world deserve true leadership from the president and all the resources necessary to succeed in their mission without delay. As a Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that our troops have the funding and all the tools necessary to effectively counter the insurgency and achieve success in Afghanistan.”

From U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kansas:
“As we learned on September 11, 2001, destroying Al-Qaeda and denying them a safe haven with the Taliban is not an option, it is a necessity for our nation’s security. While I am pleased President Obama plans to send additional troops to Afghanistan, I am concerned about some of the early details. I hope the President will choose to follow the counsel of his experienced commanders on the ground and implement their plan for victory in Afghanistan.”