Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) received a standing ovation from senators of both parties on his return to the Senate on Tuesday to cast the deciding vote allowing debate to proceed on Affordable Care Act repeal legislation.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) even gave him a hug.
McCain was diagnosed with a fatal form of brain cancer last week that was found during surgery to remove a blood clot above his eye. Fellow senators, many of whom have worked with him for decades, were understandably moved by his return.
McCain’s cancer was detected thanks to his taxpayer-provided health insurance. He left his sick bed ahead of treatment to clear an obstacle to a bill that, even with major changes, would deprive millions of Americans access to health insurance.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated last week that a revised version of the Senate bill that included some concessions to moderate lawmakers would result in 22 million fewer people having health insurance than under current law.
McCain, in a speech following the vote, called for bipartisan cooperation on health care and revealed he would not vote for the GOP’s legislation in its current form.
“I will not vote for this bill as it is today,” McCain said, emphasizing every word. “It’s a shell of a bill right now ― we all know that. I have changes urged by my state’s governor that will have to be included to earn my support for final passage of any bill.
Source: John McCain, Sick With Cancer, Returns To Advance Bill That Would Deprive Millions Of Health Care
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