In quotes: Reaction to Bush speech

US President George W Bush's speech on a limited troop withdrawal from Iraq has received a mixed response from US lawmakers.

SENATOR JACK REED, DEMOCRAT

Once again, the president failed to provide either a plan to successfully end the war or a convincing rationale to continue it.

The president rightfully invoked the valour of our troops in his speech, but his plan does not amount to real change.

Soldiers take a solemn oath to protect our nation, and we have a solemn responsibility to send them into battle only with clear and achievable missions.

Tonight, the president provided neither.

NANCY PELOSI, HOUSE SPEAKER, DEMOCRAT

President Bush outlined a status quo strategy that leaves at least 130,000 American soldiers in harm's way as part of a 10-year occupation of Iraq.

The American people reject the president's call for an enduring relationship with Iraq that is based on leaving our troops in the middle of a deadly civil war for at least 10 years.

The president failed to answer how maintaining 130,000 soldiers in Iraq would strengthen our military, make us safer, or how he would pay for its additional $700bn cost.

JOHN BOEHNER, HOUSE MINORITY LEADER, REPUBLICAN

General [David] Petraeus has outlined a responsible strategy that will solidify our gains in Iraq, build on the progress we have made there, and take the next critical steps toward bringing our troops home after success, not failure.

And it deserves our bipartisan support as our troops prepare to finish their mission.

HARRY REID, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, DEMOCRAT

After almost five years, tonight was just more of the same.

It is not progress nor is it the strategy for success our troops deserve.

And as long as President Bush keeps them in harm's way without clear purpose or achievable goals, Democrats will keep fighting to responsibly end this war.

MITCH MCCONNELL, SENATE MINORITY LEADER, REPUBLICAN

I think we have turned the corner in Iraq and are heading into a new place, and the president's remarks tonight were certainly encouraging in that respect.

SENATOR HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, DEMOCRAT, PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL

What the president told the American people tonight is that one year from now, there will be the same number of troops in Iraq as there were one year ago.

That is simply too little too late, and unacceptable to this Congress and the American people who have made clear their strong desire to bring our brave troops home.

SENATOR BARACK OBAMA, DEMOCRAT, PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL

After an additional 30,000 troops and enormous sacrifice, we are back to where we were in June 2006. We have not made progress politically.

SENATOR JOHN CORNYN, REPUBLICAN

Our commanding officer in Iraq, General Petraeus, came before the Congress this week and made clear that the surge is working - military progress is being made to the extent that some troop withdrawals can begin in the months ahead.

I am pleased that President Bush is listening to his commanders on the ground.