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John McCain Slammed for Returning to Senate After Brain Cancer Diagnosis to Repeal Obamacare

"I'm disappointed that he benefits from first-rate health care, and votes to deprive others of insurance."

Sen. John McCain returned to Washington to cast a crucial vote on Tuesday after revealing he was diagnosed with brain cancer last week. Although many anxiously waited for the "maverick" senator to kill the proposed bill, his instead voted to proceed to debate on the Senate's Obamacare repeal legislation.

  • After casting his vote, McCain delivered a speech about 'returning to normal order' and unifying the senate

    McCain did mention that he would not be voting for this bill as it stands, but instead asked the Senate to unite to make a better bill.

    His vote, which brought the count to 50-50 forcing Vice President Mike Pence to break the tie, will push the vote forward to a debate. Many are unsure about how the bill will alter after the debate, yet McCain believes the Senate should unify to create a better bill. 

    "Let the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee under Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray hold hearings, try to report a bill out of committee with contributions from both sides. Then bring it to the floor for amendment and debate, and see if we can pass something that will be imperfect, full of compromises, and not very pleasing to implacable partisans on either side, but that might provide workable solutions to problems Americans are struggling with today," McCain said on the Senate floor. 

  • Although McCain was recently adorned with messages of sympathy, many changed their tune after his vote

  • Many criticized the Arizona senator for voting on legislation that will strip health care from millions after receiving life-saving health care himself

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  • Others called out McCain for delivering a speech that seemingly contradicts his vote

  • Overall, it appears the public's well wishes for McCain were quickly matched by disappointment

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