Washington ? Vice President Dick Cheney cut short a trip to the Middle East and rushed back to Washington overnight, preparing to cast a tiebreaking vote on budget cuts in the Senate today.

The legislation on the budget would trim growth in federal spending by nearly $40 billion over the next five years.

Cheney’s change in plans came as five Republican senators signaled that they would vote against the measure, joining an apparently united Democratic caucus in opposing a bill that would allow states to impose new fees on Medicaid recipients, cut federal child support enforcement funds, impose new work requirements on state welfare programs and squeeze student lenders.

Five GOP defections would lead to a 50-50 Senate tie if all lawmakers vote.

Cheney canceled visits to Saudi Arabia and Egypt after stops in Iraq, Afghanistan and earthquake-devastated Pakistan.