President Barack Obama addressed the nation about his plans to target the Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL, and lawmakers from the Republican Party commented on the positives and negatives of his strategy.

Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Obama withdrew his previous dismissals of the Islamic State but "rightly acknowledged" the increasing threat from the terrorist organization.

"[Obama] has finally begun to make the case the nation has needed him to make for quite some time: that destroying this terrorist threat requires decisive action and must be the highest priority for the United States and other nations of the free world," Boehner said in a statement following Obama's primetime address on Wednesday.

"A speech is not the same thing as a strategy, however."

The House Speaker admitted Obama made a "compelling" argument for action against the Islamic State but that the president left many questions unanswered. While Boehner said he supports Obama's plan to train and equip the Iraqi Security Forces and Syrian opposition, Boehner was concerned that the measures could "take years" to fully implement while the Islamic State sees "momentum and territorial gains."

"It is also a cause for concern that the president appears to view the effort against ISIL as an isolated counterterrorism campaign, rather than as what it must be: an all-out effort to destroy an enemy that has declared a holy war against America and the principles for which we stand," Boehner said.

In a joint statement, Senators John McCain, R-Ariz., and Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, disagreed with Obama's statement that "America is safer." The Republican senators agreed Obama explained the reason to confront ISIS.

"He described the correct goal -- to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIS. He laid out the elements of a comprehensive strategy to achieve this goal, all of which we have long championed. And he explained the need to hit ISIS wherever it is, although the need to do so in Syria is more urgent than the President conveyed," McCain and Graham said.

The senators added that bipartisan support is needed, and they are "eager" to receive more information regarding to the president's proposals. Graham and McCain emphasized Obama's plan is "insufficient" to "destroy" the Islamic State. The senators issued their own proposals to eliminate ISIS, which includes additional U.S. special forces and advisers in Iraq, regional support from other Middle East countries, the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and to maintain a "residual presence" of U.S. forces in Iraq.

"The rise of ISIS did not have to happen. We have lost too much time and missed too many opportunities. But we can still defeat our terrorist enemies, protect our people and our partners, and secure our national interests in the Middle East," Graham and McCain said, adding Obama's plan can help achieve "vital" goals, but the president must be committed.

According to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Congress will work with the Obama administration to ensure U.S. troops have the resources to succeed their missions.

"My expectation is that the administration will explain how best to build a moderate Syrian opposition capable of defeating ISIL," McConnell said in a speech at the Senate Floor.

"I'm hoping that the Congress will consider what this multi-year campaign will mean for the overall defense program. ... That said, I'm glad the President has brought a new focus to the effort against ISIL. He needs to take this responsibility head on. This Congress, the next Congress, and the next administration have serious work ahead as we consider this multi-year commitment, and what it will take to defeat ISIL."

Boehner said the administration has recently made efforts to brief members of the House of Representatives and Senate on the "range of options" Obama contemplated.

"Those briefings and consultations will continue as members review his proposals, and I hope we can continue a dialogue about how to most effectively confront and destroy this enemy. House Republicans will meet [Thursday] morning to discuss next steps," Boehner said.