LJWorld.com

Washington — President Bush's expected request for an American troop surge in Baghdad drew concern from some Kansas members of Congress last week.

U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, said he would prefer to see trained Iraqi troops in action with American forces providing support.

"I think the surge should be Iraqi troops. That's my personal feeling. I'm tired of seeing the news about losing another young man or woman, losing an American over there," he said.

While spending part of the week in Washington covering U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda's first days in political office, the Journal-World also caught up other members of the Kansas Congressional delegation.

U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Hays, said he generally supported expanding the size of the military, but he's skeptical because a troop surge could further deplete National Guard and reserve units.

"My opinion was we probably needed more troops when the war in Iraq began," Moran said. "At this point, I need to be convinced that (a troop surge) is a thing that ultimately brings success and brings troops home. I haven't seen the evidence yet."

The war needs a new course, Moran said, but he's not ready to set a deadline for troops to come home.

U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Lenexa, who represents eastern Lawrence, said he also was skeptical but thought Bush ultimately would make the decision.

"I'm going to listen with an open mind, but I'm very concerned about increasing the number of troops, like former Secretary of State Colin Powell said. If we increase the number of troops, that should have been at the outset, not now," he said.

Moore also predicted the new Democratic-controlled House would start asking questions about some of the defense contracts let to large defense firms.

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said a new strategy needs to weigh the ability to sustain American presence in Iraq with objectives in the war on terror.

"It's also very clear that if we leave abruptly without stability, we are asking for a whole plate of new problems that could endanger our national security," said the former chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

The Kansas delegates have their own priorities and committee assignments, but all said they would work together on reauthorization of a farm bill this year.

Moran hopes to see a farm bill that encourages rural development and directs payments to the help economic circumstances of family farms.

He also planned to work this year on improving the No Child Left Behind education law and prescription drug legislation.

Roberts said the farm bill also should deal with conservation, the environment and energy challenges.

Photo by Thad Allender

U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, left, a Democrat representing Kansas' 3rd District, walks with Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., down the halls of Longworth House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Moore and Roberts greeted U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, a Democrat from Kansas' 2nd District, at her office Thursday.

Friday morning, Moore spoke at a press conference with the Blue Dog Coalition, a Democratic House group that advocates fiscal responsibility. New House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., also stood with the group's members who praised passing of House rules that included "pay-as-you-go" requirements meant to guard against budget deficits.

"Fiscal responsibility is a huge item this year," Moore said.

The former Johnson County District Attorney said he hoped to focus on developing a comprehensive national energy strategy that emphasized renewable and alternative sources and hybrid technology.

Tiahrt said he planned to introduce legislation that requires Congress to consider the effects any action will have on the U.S. economy before it writes a regulation or passes a law. He also plans to introduce a government efficiency act to examine several government agencies and services, including Medicare, Medicaid and the Defense Department.