Vice President Mike Pence plans to start campaigning and raising money for Republicans ahead of the 2018 midterm elections this week after he returns to Washington, D.C., from his Middle East trip.
According to The Washington Times, Pence's campaign schedule already has 30 events penciled in. He will kick off the effort Friday by calling Republican donors at the Republican National Committee's office.
"We're long on accomplishments and short on getting credit for them right now, and that's what midterms are about," a White House official told the Times. "And it's our responsibility. We're not the victim here. The onus is on us to go make the case to the American people that the policies are working."
Republicans control both houses of Congress, holding a 51-49 advantage in the Senate and a 238-193 edge in the House.
The Times noted Pence's campaign schedule includes a Feb. 2 stop for Rick Saccone, the Republican nominee in Pennsylvania's 18th district special election that will be held March 13.
Pence acknowledged earlier this month the first midterm after a new president is elected "is always challenging" for the president's party.
Pence departed for the Middle East last Friday night and will return to Washington Wednesday. He paid a visit to the Western Wall on Tuesday.