The Arizona senator’s return to Washington was met with cheers and applause, even as he spoke passionately about the need for compromise in the Senate

In an emotional return to the Capitol, John McCain gave an impassioned speech about the state of American politics shortly after voting to begin debate on repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).



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The Arizona senator was diagnosed with brain cancer less than a week ago after surgery to remove a blood clot and tumor just above his left eye. McCain still wore stitches from the procedure as he returned to Washington to loud applause from his colleagues from both parties.

After casting a key vote to help advance a debate on Republican attempts to repeal or replace Barack Obama’s healthcare law, McCain rose. The Senate chamber, which is often empty when members speak, remained full as the six-term senator who was the Republican party’s presidential nominee in 2008 addressed his colleagues.

Despite voting to begin debate on the bill, McCain bashed its substance and the process used to bring it to the floor. “I voted for the motion to proceed to allow debate to continue and amendments to be offered. I will not vote for the bill as it is today. It’s a shell of a bill right now.”

He also harshly criticized the process used to consider the bill, which has involved the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, doing an end run around the committee system. “We’ve tried to do this by coming up with a proposal behind closed doors in consultation with the administration, then springing it on skeptical members, trying to convince them it’s better than nothing, asking us to swallow our doubts and force it past a unified opposition,” said McCain. “I don’t think that is going to work in the end. And it probably shouldn’t.”

McCain also spoke movingly about the importance of the Senate and the need for compromise. The Arizona senator said of the institution: “Our responsibilities are important, vitally important, to the continued success of our republic. And our arcane rules and customs are deliberately intended to require broad cooperation to function well at all.”

However, he added: “Our deliberations can still be important and useful, but I think we’d all agree they haven’t been overburdened by greatness lately. And right now they aren’t producing much for the American people ... We’re getting nothing done.”

Play Video 3:25 McCain calls for cooperation in Senate: ‘we’re getting nothing done’ – video

The Arizona senator’s return to Washington met bipartisan applause. Almost every senator hugged McCain after the vote, lining up at his desk to take turns paying his or her respects. A hug with Bernie Sanders turned into an impromptu waltz as the two men ended up spinning each other around the aisles of the Senate.

Donald Trump, who infamously attacked McCain as “not a hero” during the 2015 campaign, also chimed in, writing on Twitter: “Thank you for coming to D.C. for such a vital vote. Congrats to all Rep. We can now deliver grt healthcare to all Americans!”

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