The absence of Sen. John McCain, who was diagnosed with brain cancer last week, has made getting 50 votes to start debate on the bill exceedingly difficult. McCain to return for tight Obamacare vote



Sen. John McCain will return to the Senate on Tuesday after being recently diagnosed with brain cancer, his office announced on Monday night. The Senate will take a critical procedural vote on repealing Obamacare on Tuesday, and McCain's vote could be critical in the narrowly divided chamber.

The absence of the Arizona senator, who was diagnosed with brain cancer last week, would have made getting 50 votes to start debate on the bill exceedingly difficult.


"They were trying to get approval [from his doctors] for his travel arrangements. I've personally volunteered to rent an RV," said Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas earlier in the day.

McCain, who had surgery earlier this month to remove a blood clot, called for the GOP to scrap its partisan repeal approach and consider health care legislation through the committees and with bipartisan input.

But the party leadership will force a partisan repeal vote on Tuesday, and with just 52 Republicans, McCain's vote could be critical.

