美国议员对奥巴马总统的阿富汗新战略褒贬不一。一些议员，其中包括某些民主党议员，都对向阿富汗增兵表示关注。
共和党和民主党议员说，他们选区的选民都在问，美国国内有很多问题需要解决，为什么还要进一步卷入阿富汗，但是共和党参议员麦凯恩赞扬奥巴马增兵三万人的决定。麦凯恩参议员2008年竞选总统失利。他说，美国和盟友向阿富汗增兵将扭转叛乱的势头，为在阿富汗的成功创造条件。
麦凯恩是在参议院军事委员会的听证会上说这番话的。他是该委员会的资深成员。麦凯恩表示反对制定“武断的撤军时间表”，他说，这只会让基地组织和塔利班更加大胆。
参议院军事委员会主席、民主党参议员莱文对总统的新战略表示支持。他说，从2011年7月开始撤军是令阿富汗政府产生紧迫感的合理方式，而阿富汗政府对于战争的胜利是至关重要的。星期二，民主党参议员法因戈尔德在奥巴马公布新战略之前说，美国增兵是一个严重错误，会使巴基斯坦局势更加动荡。
U.S. lawmakers have given President Obama’s new Afghan strategy mixed reviews. Some, including members of the president’s own party, are expressing concern about his decision to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers say their constituents are questioning why the United States is increasing involvement in Afghanistan when there are numerous domestic issues to address.But Republican Senator John McCain applauded the president’s decision to send 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan.McCain, who lost his presidential bid against Mr. Obama, said the additional forces, plus greater force commitments from U.S. allies, will enable the “momentum of the insurgency” to be reversed while creating conditions for success in Afghanistan.
He spoke to the Senate Armed Services Committee. McCain, who is the ranking member of that panel, said he opposes setting what he called an “arbitrary date” to begin withdrawing troops. He said it will only embolden al-Qaida and the Taliban.
The chairman of the committee, Democrat Carl Levin, voiced support for the president’s new strategy and said setting the July 2011 date to begin the reduction of U.S. forces is a “reasonable way” to produce the sense of urgency with the Afghan government that is essential for success.On Tuesday, ahead of Mr. Obama’s announcement, Democratic Senator Russell Feingold said a surge of U.S. forces would be a serious mistake that could further destabilize Pakistan.