McConnell Postpones O’Care Repeal Vote As McCain Recovers From Surgery

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., listens to remarks by Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., as they meet with reporters after a closed-door Republican strategy session, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 11, 2017. McConnell says Senate Republicans will unveil their revised health care bill Thursday and begin voting on it next week, adding, he could delay the chamber's August recess for two weeks as the GOP tries breaking logjams that have slowed work on that and other issues.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. listens as Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 11, 2017, following a closed-door Republican strategy s... Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. listens as Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 11, 2017, following a closed-door Republican strategy session. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Saturday announced that the Senate will postpone its vote on a measure to repeal Obamacare while Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) recovers from surgery.

“While John is recovering, the Senate will continue our work on legislative items and nominations, and will defer consideration of the Better Care Act,” McConnell said in a statement, referring to the Senate’s health care measure.

McCain underwent surgery in Arizona on Friday to have a blood clot removed and remained there to recuperate, his office said in a statement released Saturday.

His absence would potentially have taken a heavy toll on the Senate’s Obamacare repeal bill: McConnell needs the support of 50 of 52 Republican senators to advance the measure, and two lawmakers — Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Rand Paul (R-KY) — have already announced that they will vote against it.

Latest Livewire

Notable Replies

  1. Wow! The turtle man is forced to slow down!!!

    How critical is that?

  2. Blood clots aren’t biopsied, nor are they sent to pathology. I think McConnell’s statement that McCain will be back in the Senate again soon might be yet another untruth.

    I wish Senator McCain well.

    However, it might be wise for McConnell to let the Senators have their August recess since there might be more going on with McCain’s health than has been announced. And no sense in making them cranky for nothing.

  3. Postponing a vote that would strip 22 million of healthcare coverage so one Senator can receive healthcare? Oh, the irony.

  4. The most entitled, the most welfare-dependent person in America.

    His health care is locked in by law. Ours is “accessible” on the whims of greedy millionaires.

  5. Meanwhile Trump has another Twitter meltdown. Has yet to wish 39 well.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

81 more replies

Participants

Avatar for srfromgr Avatar for marby Avatar for pac Avatar for eggrollian Avatar for navamske Avatar for trnc Avatar for cvilledem Avatar for chelsea530 Avatar for sonsofares Avatar for theghostofeustacetilley Avatar for longtimeobserver Avatar for chethardy Avatar for dickweed Avatar for darrtown Avatar for professorpoopypants Avatar for edhedh Avatar for tcamp52 Avatar for rickjones Avatar for centralasiaexpat Avatar for dannysgrandma Avatar for drtv Avatar for aiddon Avatar for outsidertrading618 Avatar for godwit

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: