Senator: Delay health care to focus on Afghan war

Postpone the health care overhaul until next year so Congress can concentrate on how to pay for President Barack Obama's expected plans for expanding military operations in Afghanistan, a leading Republican senator said Sunday.

Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said a sharp focus is needed for Obama's new strategy for the 8-year war and how much it will cost. Many issues should be considered, he said, including the possibility of raising taxes to pay for operations in Afghanistan.