WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. John McCain, recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer, is returning to Arizona to begin radiation and chemotherapy.
In a statement Friday, his office said he will undergo further treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix while maintaining his work schedule. The senator, who won a sixth term last year, plans to return to Washington at the end of Congress’ August recess.
The 80-year-old McCain had a blood clot removed about his left eye earlier this month and was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive type of brain cancer.
He returned to the Senate on Tuesday, casting a crucial vote to move ahead on health care legislation. Early Friday morning, he dashed GOP hopes on legislation by opposing a repeal measure.
Looks like his Defense Authorization Bill which was supposed to be the next order of legislative business in the Senate, which Paul objected to and now seems that bill is going to be leaderless in the near term.
As reported by CNN:
Thursday afternoon, Senate leadership sent out a “hotline” notice regarding NDAA – basically, a notification that they were going to immediately take up NDAA after health care (passage or failure) and they wanted anyone who objected to this to let them know.
The idea being, if any senator is going to object to taking this up, flag it please, and we’ll hold off and discuss next steps.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer cut a deal with McConnell to immediately move onto the bill – i.e. no Democrats would object to starting. McConnell moved to bring it up on the floor and Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul objected.
This was not expected, aides told CNN. While they knew Paul had serious issues with the bill and had amendments he was demanding merited consideration, aides and senators say McCain’s staff had given assurances that he would get those amendments put in order. And Paul objected anyway.
Paul’s spokesman, Sergio Gor, made clear that the issue remained the state of the amendments. “Sen. Rand Paul requested two bipartisan amendments, one on ending indefinite detention and one on AUMFs,” Gor said in a statement. “He looks forward to working with leadership and the committee to get this done soon.”
But what does it mean overall? Well, the Senate adjourned. When they come back Monday, they’ll move to a nomination, not the NDAA. And oh by the way, three congressional sources told CNN on Friday that McCain is planning to return to Arizona to start cancer treatment Monday, and it’s unclear when he’ll return.
Tired of all this “winning” yet Republicans?
Godspeed Senator. Thanks for coming back for this vote.
How about similar recognition for Senator Mazie Hirono, who also came off cancer treatment and whose vote was just as crucial. To the AP, liberals are never heroes, only conservatives.
Good luck, John. Sixteen million thank you and Susan and Lisa.
If he’s going back right now, it strikes me that he must have planned to shiv McConnell from the start. Or maybe he had some brief fever dream that his colleagues were going to act like responsible non-murderous adults for a few brief moments.