Vice President Pence will travel to the Middle East on Friday night despite the looming threat of a government shutdown.

The veep’s spokeswoman said Pence’s trip to Egypt, Jordan and Israel will proceed as scheduled, and that it was “integral” to US national security and diplomacy.

Air Force Two is scheduled to refuel in Ireland after midnight Saturday en route to Cairo.

Pence is set to meet Saturday with Egypt’s president and Sunday with the king of Jordan.

He will meet Monday and Tuesday with Israeli leaders.