Iraq debate interrupts Obama's Florida tour

Democrat Barack Obama's visit to a Boca Raton synagogue today has been pushed back several hours so he can fly to Washington for Senate debate on the Iraq war and veterans' benefits.

The Illinois senator is now scheduled to speak at B'nai Torah Congregation at 4 p.m., instead of noon.

At the synagogue, Obama is expected to reassure the audience that he would be a staunch ally of Israel. Exit polls show Jewish voters favored Hillary Clinton in the Jan. 29 presidential primary.

The so-called Iraq supplemental bill slated to be taken up today would allocate $194 billion for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill also includes an amendment by Democratic Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia, a Vietnam veteran and former Navy secretary, to increase college tuition aid for veterans. Republican presidential candidate John McCain backs an alternative college aid plan.