Pence to delay Mideast trip over tax reform vote

Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Vice President Mike Pence is delaying his visit to the Middle East until January in case his vote is needed to pass tax legislation in Congress.

Pence was originally scheduled to depart for Israel and Egypt over the weekend. However, the vote was later delayed a week so he could preside over the upcoming Senate tax reform vote and later was pushed off again until next year.

"The largest tax cut in American history is a landmark accomplishment for President Trump and a relief to millions of hardworking Americans," Pence press secretary Alyssa Farah said.

"The Vice President is committed to seeing the tax cut through to the finish line. The Vice President looks forward to traveling to Egypt and Israel in January."

Pence could potentially serve as the tie-breaking vote on the tax legislation. However, that scenario became more unlikely after Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced her support for the bill on Monday.

The delay comes after President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Dec. 6, a move igniting violence in the region between Palestinians and Israelis.

The trip delay was announced the same day the United States blocked a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have rejected Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.

Monday's was the first Security Council veto by the Trump administration, as the 15 member U.N. Security Council voted in favor of the resolution by a vote of 14-1.

Pence was scheduled to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas before the announcement. He is still scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, address the Israeli Knesset and meet in Egypt with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.