U.S. Congressman calls for 'war tax' ahead of Obama's decision on extra troops for Afghanistan

Barack Obama will wipe out his efforts to save the US economy if he sends more troops to Afghanistan, a senior Democrat warned last night.

David Obey, chairman of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee said Americans could be forced to pay a 'war tax' if the conflict escalates .

He spoke out after another four U.S. troops were killed in Afghanistan and Nato urged allies to commit extra forces to help combat the resurgent Taliban.

Barack Obama has been urged to commit extra troops to Afghanistan

President Obama will hold another meeting with advisers tonight over Pentagon requests for up to 40,000 reinforcements.

But Mr Obey said he feared the President would bankrupt his domestic agenda if he ups the ante in Afghanistan. 'There ain't going to be no money for nothing if we pour it all into Afghanistan,' he told ABC News.

'If they ask for an increased troop commitment in Afghanistan, I am going to ask them to pay for it,' he added.

The powerful House Appropriations Committee controls the purse strings in Congress and the chairman's remarks reflect the growing unease among senior Democrats over the war.

'On the merits, I think it is a mistake to deepen our involvement,' said Mr Obey. 'But if we are going to do that, then at least we ought to pay for it. Because if we don't, if we don't pay for it, the cost of the Afghan war will wipe out every initiative we have to rebuild our own economy.'

David Obey's war tax proposal would involve high-earners paying 5 per cent of their incomes

He said he favours a 'war surtax' in which high-earners pay 5 per cent of their incomes and the lower paid hand over smaller percentages. White House budget director Peter Orszag has suggested it would cost the U.S. £24billion a year to send the 40,000 additional troops.

With the U.S. national debt at £7.2trillion and rising, Mr Obey is not alone among those who fear Afghanistan could divert resources from projects at home.

But the White House fears that such a move would only antagonise a public already weary of the eight-year conflict.

The latest casualties bring the US death toll in Afghanistan this month to 15, with 58 fatalities in October.

In Brussels yesterday, Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen was in intense negotiations to get more troops and equipment for the newly-established Nato training mission in Afghanistan.

Several allies have promised reinforcements, but most have shied away from firm commitments until Mr Obama shows his hand on extra troops.