McCain illness forces Republicans to delay vote on troubled health care bill
Senate Republicans have delayed consideration of their proposed health care reform bill while Senator John McCain recovers from surgery for a blood clot.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wished McCain a speedy recovery in a statement Sunday, adding that Senate Republicans would now work on other “legislative items and nominations” in their colleague’s absence.
My statement on @SenJohnMcCainpic.twitter.com/WSqc9axgzm
— Leader McConnell (@SenateMajLdr) July 16, 2017
McCain’s illness is the latest blow to the already tumultuous effort by Republicans to repeal and replace Obamacare.
READ MORE: 80 arrested on Capitol Hill protesting Senate healthcare bill
Republicans currently hold a 52-48 majority in the Senate, meaning they can afford to lose two senators and still pass the legislation using the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Mike Pence, a fierce critic of Obamacare.
This is our moment. Now is the time. Every moment Obamacare survives is another day America suffers. pic.twitter.com/pChSEEkLE9
— Mike Pence (@mike_pence) June 24, 2017
Before summer’s out, we'll repeal/replace Obamacare w/ system based on personal responsibility, free-market competition & state-based reform pic.twitter.com/JzCyxX9kJb
— Mike Pence (@mike_pence) June 24, 2017
That’s the Republican way. That’s the American way. And, that’s the way we’re going to reform health care in the 21st Century.
— Mike Pence (@mike_pence) June 24, 2017
Moderate and conservative Republican senators Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky have both said they will vote against the Better Care Act, Obamacare’s proposed replacement. Without McConnell’s delay, the loss of McCain’s vote would almost certainly have spelled defeat for the repeal effort.
READ MORE: Senate GOP releases new Obamacare repeal-and-replace plan
The Arizona senator is recovering at home after having a three-inch blood clot removed above his left eye during surgery Friday. The clot was discovered and removed at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix on the same day, according to a statement on McCain’s website.
McCain paid tribute to the staff of the Mayo Clinic on Twitter Sunday.
Thanks to @MayoClinic for its excellent care – I appreciate your support & look forward to getting back to work! https://t.co/eUkFr7jKYB
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) July 16, 2017
His daughter, Fox News host Meghan McCain, also tweeted her support for her father.
Thank you to everyone for all your well wishes to my father and family. I'm here in Arizona with him - he is doing very well, fiery as ever.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) July 16, 2017
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One Thursday, President Donald Trump said health care reform was “the only thing more difficult than peace between Israel and the Palestinians.”
“It’s like this narrow road that’s about a quarter of an inch wide,” Trump said. “You get a couple [votes] here and you say, great, and then you find out you just lost four over here. Healthcare is tough.”
