Republicans disenchanted with Donald Trump as the party’s presidential candidate plan to put forth a conservative alternative — the former top House Republican aide and former CIA officer Evan McMullin.

US president Barack Obama, who quoted a new White House study suggesting that small businesses pay far more per employee for health insurance than big companies, said the disparity was “unsustainable” and “unacceptable”.

Democrats in the US House of Representatives are expected to vote next week on a stripped-down resolution condemning President George Bush’s decision to send more forces to Iraq, but declaring support for the troops, according to party aides.