Congress gave the late Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainAnalysis: Biden victory, Democratic sweep would bring biggest boost to economy The Memo: Trump's strengths complicate election picture Mark Kelly: Arizona Senate race winner should be sworn in 'promptly' MORE (R-Ariz.) its highest honor Friday, assembling under the Capitol Rotunda to pay final respects in front of his flag-draped casket as it lay in state, an occasion usually reserved for presidents.

McCain was often described as a maverick and bucked his party’s leadership many times, most notably last year when he sank their proposal to repeal ObamaCare. But in their final remembrances, GOP leaders praised his devotion to public service and his principles.

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McCain’s casket was carried into the Capitol by an honor guard of soldiers, sailors and Marines, and a cordon of Capitol Police in ceremonial dress stood guard throughout the prayers and remarks.

“He treated every issue with the intensity the people’s business deserves,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline The Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power MORE (R-Ky.) told the gathering, which included former President Nixon's Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Hollywood stars Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, and former senators such as John Warner (R-Va.) and Connie Mack III (R-Fla.).

“He would fight tooth and nail for his vision of the common good,” McConnell added. “Depending on the issue, you knew John would either be your staunchest ally or your most stubborn opponent.”

McCain cast one of his most memorable votes in July of last year, only days after being diagnosed with the brain cancer that ultimately ended his life, when he gave a “thumbs down” on the Senate floor to the GOP plan to repeal ObamaCare. His was the decisive vote, and the measure failed 49-51.

McCain told reporters later that evening, “I thought it was the right thing to do.”

It was one of many times McCain clashed with members of his own party, a habit that often left his GOP colleagues feeling battered.

“I’ve long joked that his guards at the Hanoi Hilton probably needed group therapy after John was finished with them,” McConnell said Friday, referring to McCain’s 5 1/2 years of captivity during the Vietnam War. “Well, let’s just say there were times when some of his Senate colleagues were tempted to form a support group of our own.”

McCain and McConnell battled for years over campaign finance reform, McCain’s signature issue in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

McCain pushed the landmark Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act through the Senate in 2001 and 2002, despite McConnell’s opposition, and McConnell later became the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging its constitutionality.

But McConnell noted Friday that McCain’s charisma helped heal any old wounds, and that the senator’s colleagues always knew that he was motivated by principle, even if he would sometimes sling personal barbs to get his way.

“At any moment, he might be preparing an eloquent reflection on human liberty … or a devastating joke served up with his signature cackle and that John McCain glint in his eye,” McConnell recalled.

“He had America’s fighting spirit, our noble idealism, our solemn patriotism, and our slightly irreverent streak — all rolled into one,” he added. “I will miss a dear friend whose smile reminded us that service is a privilege.”

McCain’s family, including his 106-year-old mother Roberta McCain and his daughter Meghan McCain, sat in the front row behind McConnell and the other speakers.

Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Key Democrat opposes GOP Section 230 subpoena for Facebook, Twitter, Google MORE (R-S.C.), McCain’s best friend in Congress, sat with McCain’s family directly behind the podium, instead of in the section reserved for current and former senators. Former Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), who was a member of the self-described “three amigos” along with McCain and Graham, also sat with friends and family.

A who's who of other past and present political luminaries also attended, including Attorney General Jeff Sessions Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsRoy Moore sues Alabama over COVID-19 restrictions GOP set to release controversial Biden report Trump's policies on refugees are as simple as ABCs MORE, Secretary of Defense James Mattis James Norman MattisBiden courts veterans amid fallout from Trump military controversies Trump says he wanted to take out Syria's Assad but Mattis opposed it Gary Cohn: 'I haven't made up my mind' on vote for president in November MORE, White House chief of staff John Kelly John Francis KellyMORE, national security adviser John Bolton, former Sen. Carl Levin Carl Milton LevinMichigan to pay 0M to victims of Flint water crisis Unintended consequences of killing the filibuster Inspector general independence must be a bipartisan priority in 2020 MORE (D-Mich.), former Sen. Max Baucus Max Sieben BaucusBottom line Bottom line The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - George Floyd's death sparks protests, National Guard activation MORE (D-Mont.) and Utah Senate candidate Mitt Romney Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyTrump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance GOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power McConnell pushes back on Trump: 'There will be an orderly transition' MORE (R).

But a few of the most prominent congressional conservatives were missing, such as Sens. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump previews SCOTUS nominee as 'totally brilliant' Cruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish Trump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes MORE (R-Texas) and Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump previews SCOTUS nominee as 'totally brilliant' Rand Paul says he can't judge 'guilt or innocence' in Breonna Taylor case Overnight Health Care: Health officials tell public to trust in science | Despair at CDC under Trump influence | A new vaccine phase 3 trial starts MORE (R-Ky.), whom McCain famously called "wacko birds" in 2013.

The most recent senator to lie in state under the rotunda was Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), the former chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, a World War II veteran and a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, in 2012.

Former Presidents Reagan and Ford lay in state in 2004 and 2007, respectively.

The late Rev. Billy Graham lay “in honor” under the rotunda earlier this year, as the designation “in state” is reserved for those who have served in government.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan Paul Davis RyanKenosha will be a good bellwether in 2020 At indoor rally, Pence says election runs through Wisconsin Juan Williams: Breaking down the debates MORE, who spoke after McConnell, praised McCain as a patriot and a man of conviction “who made an enormous difference in the lives of countless people.”

The Wisconsin Republican, who spearheaded last year’s effort to repeal ObamaCare, said he also had his heated moments with McCain.

“I myself was — from time to time — on the receiving end of John’s distinct brand of candor,” he said.

But he said he now regards those scrapes as fond memories, adding that he was “happily” the recipient of any verbal abuse McCain dished out.

“I remember thinking more than once, ‘Yeah, he really does talk like a sailor,’ ” Ryan quipped.

Vice President Pence, who laid a wreath of flowers next to McCain’s casket representing the executive branch, highlighted areas where the maverick senator agreed with the administration.

“In my years in Congress, and as vice president, we didn’t always agree either, and he almost always noticed,” Pence said. “But his support for limited government, for tax reform and support for our armed forces surely left our nation more prosperous and more secure, and he will be missed.”

McCain’s rocky relationship with Trump, however, only worsened in the past year, particularly after the senator voted down the president’s health-care proposal last summer.

Trump mocked McCain recently at a rally in Nevada, where he once again brought up McCain’s famous “no” vote.

McCain, in turn, stepped up his criticism of Trump this summer, blasting Trump's remarks during a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki as “disgraceful” and calling the entire summit a “tragic mistake.”

Feelings between them were sour enough that McCain requested that Trump not attend his funeral. Trump last week momentarily balked at lowering the flag to half staff at federal facilities to honor McCain.

But the president later sought to make peace.

“As President Trump said yesterday, we respect his service to the country,” Pence noted. “And so let me say to all those gathered, and his beloved family, on behalf of a grateful nation, we will ever remember that John McCain served his country. And John McCain served his country honorably.”

McConnell and Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing Cruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish MORE (N.Y.) then laid a wreath at McCain’s casket marking the respect of the Senate. Ryan and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline Trump signs largely symbolic pre-existing conditions order amid lawsuit MORE (Calif.) laid a wreath commemorating the feelings of the House.