Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, May 10, 2017. (Photo: AP)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kty., said the Senate will table health care until Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., recovers from surgery.
“While John is recovering, the Senate will continue to our work on legislation items and nominations, and will defer consideration of the Better Care Act,” McConnell said in a statement.
Doctors advised the 80-year-old senator to remain in Arizona for the week after a nearly 2-inch blood clot was removed from his left eye on Friday. The Mayo Clinic said it was a “minimally invasive” procedure that went “very well.”
With a slim 52-48 majority, Republicans can only afford to lose two votes. With Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kty., and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine., already declaring they are opposed to the bill, the GOP needs Sen. McCain’s vote.
Vice President Pence would break a tie for final passage.
