Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) announced late Monday that he would be back at work Tuesday for a vital vote on healthcare reform, even as he recovers from a blood clot removal and a diagnosis of a brain tumor.
McCain, who announced last week that he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor, was set to cast a vital vote of support in a looming vote on the GOP healthcare reform bill, but the vote was initially postponed after he underwent surgery to remove a blood clot above his eye.
Look forward to returning to Senate tomorrow to continue work on health care reform, defense bill & #RussiaSanctions https://t.co/VQBtovnwF1
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) 25 июля 2017 г.
It had been unclear when McCain was due to return, but Monday night his office announced that the 80-year-old veteran “looks forward to returning to the United States Senate tomorrow to continue working on important legislation, including health care reform, the National Defense Authorization Act, and new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea.”
While McCain’s office mentioned a number of bills, it was healthcare reform that is seen as the most significant. Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Susan Collins (R-ME) had come out against the Senate’s version of the ObamaCare reform bill, leaving Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) with no wiggle room when it comes to Republican support — meaning the GOP’s entire congressional agenda has essentially been held up by McCain’s absence.
McCain has expressed concerns about the GOP healthcare bill but is expected to toe the party line and vote to at least begin debate on repealing ObamaCare. No Democrat is expected to vote for any bill that would replace, even in part, the Affordable Care Act.