The very first photos of GOP Senator John McCain since being diagnosed with brain cancer have hit social media. McCain looks like he’s in good spirits, as he waved and gave the “thumbs up” to reporters.
FIRST LOOK: Senator John McCain has arrived at U.S. Senate, votes to advance health care bill; VP Pence needed to break the tie. pic.twitter.com/clJqDP3pxo
— Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) July 25, 2017
McCain gives reporters a thumbs up and waves as he arrives on the Senate pic.twitter.com/03k2pSwaLW
— Alexis Levinson (@alexis_levinson) July 25, 2017
business: Sen. John McCain returns to Capital Hill for the health care vote https://t.co/3JWLB3xFzg pic.twitter.com/cKGq1ZdZgG
— Fally Sombo Nkhwazi (@FallySomboNkhwa) July 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/DanLinden/status/889925792217649154
Earlier today, the media was buzzing about McCain’s “dramatic return.”
USA Today wrote:
Sen. John McCain returned to the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday afternoon to cast a critical vote in favor of health care legislation less than a week after undergoing surgery and revealing he has brain cancer.
McCain’s vote was pivotal as Republicans, who hold a 52-seat majority, scrambled to round up 50 votes on a motion to advance legislation to repeal Obamacare.
McCain did not announce in advance whether he would support Tuesday’s “motion to proceed,” but he marched onto the floor to a standing ovation from his colleagues and voted “aye.” Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted no, requiring Vice President Pence to cast the tie-breaking vote in favor.
It was still unclear on Tuesday what will be in the Senate legislation and whether Republicans will ultimately have enough votes to pass it.
McCain’s announcement Monday that he would return fro the vote added momentum to Republican efforts in the Senate following House Republicans’ passage of their bill in May.
Moments ago, McCain casted the 50th vote, with Vice-President Pence breaking the tie to advance the healthcare debate motion.
Over in the Senate, VP Pence cast tie-breaking vote, approving motion to proceed on healthcare bill by 51-50.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 25, 2017