“It’s a good sign for us,” Stoner said. “It’s a good sign for Iraq.”

U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, responded with a written statement to the Globe’s question. He said that if press reports are accurate, withdrawing combat troops from Iraq is a step in the right direction.

“Drawing down troops would reduce the strain on our military, free up resources for Afghanistan and other priorities, and support the Iraqi government,” Skelton said.

“Of course, the devil is in the details,” the statement continued. “Any redeployment must be done in a responsible way that assures the safety of U.S. forces during the draw-down and provides for the return of critical U.S. military equipment.”

Skelton said he wants to learn more about the plan, but that he has great confidence in Obama’s defense team.

U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., also issued a written response.

“I would like to see President Obama’s proposal,” she said in the statement. “I believe our military policy needs to be determined by the conditions on the ground and the advice of the military experts. I am not supportive of an arbitrary timeline.”

The Globe’s efforts to obtain comment Wednesday from U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., were unsuccessful.

Campaign pledge

Barack Obama, during the presidential campaign, pledged to withdraw combat troops from Iraq within 16 months of taking office.