Pence to delay Mideast trip as tax vote nears

WASHINGTON — Vice President Mike Pence will delay and curtail his upcoming trip to the Middle East to be on hand for an upcoming Senate tax vote and take into account the unwillingness of Palestinians and others to meet with him while in Egypt and Israel.

The White House said Thursday that Pence plans to delay his departure to Egypt by a few days so he can preside over the Senate during a likely vote next week on the Republicans’ sweeping tax package. Pence serves as president of the Senate. Pence also shortened the length of his planned trip to the region after Palestinian officials and leading Muslim and Christian clerics in Egypt said they would refuse to meet with him.

Pence had originally been scheduled to leave Saturday for Israel, following President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah said the vice president now would travel first to Egypt and then to Israel.

Trump and Republican lawmakers are hoping for a vote early next week on a package of steep tax cuts for corporations and more modest cuts for families. Republicans, who hold a 52-48 majority in the Senate, can afford to lose just two votes while counting on Pence to break a tie.

White House officials said they do not expect to need Pence’s vote. But Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Thad Cochran of Mississippi have missed votes recently because of health issues.

Pence also was forced to adjust his schedule in the Middle East amid protests from leaders over Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Aides to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said earlier this week that he would not meet with the vice president.

ALEX BRANDON/AP Mike Pence plans to delay his departure to Egypt by a few days so he can be available for a vote on the tax package.