Heck skips GOP retreat

 As House Republicans departed the U.S. Capitol today for an annual issues and strategy retreat in Baltimore, at least one GOP lawmaker wasn't making the trip.

Rep. Joe Heck flew back to Nevada on Wednesday.  He was scheduled to travel within the country on Saturday on Intelligence Committee business that his spokesman said could not be disclosed ahead of time.

Heck also noted he has been away from home most of the past two weeks while in Washington and on a trip to Israel before that.

"I have to get back to the district," he said.

Fellow Nevada Republican Rep. Mark Amodei is attending the three day retreat at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel, a spokesman said. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas, and Joe Gibbs, the famed former coach of the Washington Redskins, were among expected speakers.