Dick Cheney cut short his trip to the Middle East

ABOARD AIR FORCE TWO (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Washington in case his vote is needed on legislation moving through Congress, a White House official said.

"He's needed for close votes," Cheney adviser Steve Schmidt told reporters traveling with the vice president. "The vice president is returning to Washington to be on hand in the Senate ... to cast tie-breaking votes if necessary."

Cheney was to arrive in Washington early on Wednesday, a White House official said on board the airplane as Cheney flew to Oman after visiting Pakistan.

Cheney's vote may be needed to break a possible tie on budget-cutting legislation backed by the White House. The White House was told by Republican congressional leaders that the vote could be close.

Congress is working to wrap up outstanding business before the holiday break, including the spending bill. The U.S. vice president casts the tie-breaking vote in the Senate.

Cheney arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday to meet with President Pervez Musharraf, a key ally in Washington's fight against terrorism. The visit followed stops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Cheney, who has a history of heart trouble, will not visit Saudi Arabia and Egypt as planned.

my WTF is going haywire on this 1

WTF why would they put Cheney who has a history of heart trouble, will not visit SA and Egypt as planned--why would they put that in there just for the fuk of it...