Citing tax vote, Pence delays trip to Israel and Egypt

Vice President Mike Pence has delayed his trip to Israel and Egypt in case he needs to cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate when it comes time to vote on the GOP tax bill.

Pence was set to leave on Tuesday, but will instead depart in January, his office said. Alyssa Farah, Pence's press secretary, said in a statement the vice president is "committed to seeing the tax cut through to the finish line." Republicans have stated they are certain they have enough votes to pass the tax overhaul, despite having just a 52-48 majority and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) likely missing the vote. They are hoping to have a vote sometime this week.

White House officials told CNN delaying Pence's trip had nothing to do with anger over President Trump deciding the U.S. will recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was scheduled to meet with Pence, but canceled after Trump's announcement, and it's unclear if Pence will try to book another meeting with him, officials said.

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