The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 07:29 PM

Vice President Pence Postpones Middle East Trip To Egypt, Israel Until January Citing Tax Vote

Citing the need to preside over the Senate’s sweeping tax overhaul, Vice President Mike Pence postponed his trip to Egypt and Israel until January, just one day before he was set to leave.

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

Senior White House officials said the uncertainty of the timing of the Senate vote could have pushed back Pence’s schedule in Egypt and Israel, and the vice president felt it was important to be in the Senate in case he was needed to break a tie vote.


Pence is now scheduled to leave the week of Jan. 14, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal plans.