Sen. John McCain returns to Arizona, will miss vote on GOP tax bill

[Mrs. Overall]

Source: CBS

Republican Sen. John McCain is returning to Arizona after spending several days in a Maryland hospital recovering from side effects from chemotherapy treatment for brain cancer, CBS News has learned.

McCain left Washington Sunday and is heading back to his home state to spend the holidays with his family. He will not be on hand for the final vote on the GOP tax passage expected for early this week. It is unclear when McCain might return to Washington.

Despite a razor-thin margin needed to pass the measure, McCain's presence will not likely be the determining factor in the vote. Two critical senators -- Bob Corker of Tennessee and Marco Rubio of Florida -- announced their support for the bill last week after initially saying they would oppose earlier versions.

GOP leaders aim to hold floor votes this week, with the House expected to take up the measure first on Tuesday.

McCain, 81, has been receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, since Wednesday. His son-in-law said on "Face the Nation" Sunday that McCain had been "in good spirits."

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sen-john-mccain-returns-to-arizona-will-miss-vote-on-gop-tax-bill/

[madaboutharry]

1. I wish him well.

Regardless of politics, no one should have to suffer like he is now.

[Mrs. Overall]

2. Definitely agree.

[LeftishBrit]

10. Agree

[lapfog_1]

3. i think he is going home to spend christmas with family

and to die at home...

Probably why Corker is voting "yeah" as a favor to a dying colleague.

[WhiteTara]

4. You are very gracious to Corker

because I believe he's voting yes because of his giant tax cut.

[TDale313]

5. Yeah, my suspicion as well. n/t

[tazkcmo]

6. I agree

Corker, like almost all GOPee-ers, is an asshole.

[riversedge]

26. He claims he did not know the tax break was included. I doubt his word.

[WhiteTara]

27. He's another republicon and of course

he knew what was in that section of the bill. It was the sweetner for him and the rest of the traitors to our nation.

[getagrip_already]

15. mcains vote isn't needed.....

Without Mcain, the still have 51 yes votes and we only have 48 no votes. There is another gop senator out ill as well. It still won't help us. Then it would be 50 yes 48 no.

Remember, in the event of a tie, pence casts a vote. So even if corker were a "no", we would be at 49 yes, 49 no. Pence gets a vote and it's over.

We need 2 solid No votes, in addition to people being out sick.

So Corkers actions are strictly his own.

Best wishes to mcain and his family. Not a partisan issue.

[BigmanPigman]

7. MSNBC just said that even though this

will keep him from voting, McConnell still thinks it will pass and he has enough votes without McCain.

DO NO BELIEVE IT! McConnell is saying this as propaganda, hoping he has the votes! KEEP CALLING!
Don't wait until the mid terms. CALL the GOP NOW! KILL THE BILL!
We can stop the Tax Scam too. IT IS NOT OVER! Add Rubio and Lee (Utah) to your list. Keep pressuring them daily. Call(202)224-
McCain (AZ) 2235
Flake (AZ) 4521
Collins (ME) 2523
Heller (NV) 6244
Murkowski (AK) 6665
Moran (KS) 6521
Johnson (WI) 5323
Young (IN) 5623
Rubio (FL) 3041
Lee (UT) 5444
Landlord (OK) 2651
Daines (MT) 5754

**McConnell (KY) 2541 Tell him to hold off the vote until Jones is seated. Obama waited to vote on the ACA in 2010 until a newly elected REPUB was seated!

And thank Corker (TN) 3344

Call, tell your friends and family, use social media and hammer the GOP every DAY! If you get a voice mail leave a message. The staffers DO tally them up and keep track. It literally takes 2 minutes to call one GOP rep (call both houses too). RESIST !
Here is a source for events, rallies and protests throughout the US.
https://notonepenny.org/take-action/#events

[Upthevibe]

11. I just called and left a msg. for Senator Flake...I'm calling Collins now..n/t

[getagrip_already]

16. numbers aren't there.....

Without Mcain, they still have 51 yes votes and we only have 48 no votes. There is another gop senator out ill as well. It still won't help us. Then it would be 50 yes 48 no.

Remember, in the event of a tie, pence casts a vote. So even if corker were a "no", we would be at 49 yes, 49 no. Pence gets a vote and it's over.

We need 2 solid No votes, in addition to two people being out sick.

[yallerdawg]

19. Without McCain, it's 51-48.

One (R) "no" and it's 50-49.

With 99 votes, there is no possibility of a tie-breaker, no need for Pence!

Two "no's" and it is 49-50, we win! Even if Cochran out, too (50-48), two "no's" and Pence won't work (49-49 to 48-50, we win!)

[getagrip_already]

25. I said 2 no's would sink them without mccain.....

But mcain isn't a no. It's an abstain. So we stay at 48. But there is a second senator that could also miss the vote. I just forget his name.

Still, even if #2 doesn't vote, it's still 50-48. If corker flips but the mystery man votes, it's still only 49-50. They still win.

Either way, we need two republicans to chortle "no". Or is it "nay"? Or do they meekly just swipe their badges and push a button like they do in the house?

Anyway, Corker is still a yes. A caught red handed yes, but still a yes. Collins is as collins does (nothing, she is a yes).

[Miigwech]

8. Sorry for Mr. McCain and his family but happy for one less

"yes" vote, for the tax bill.

[FarPoint]

9. I don't see him returning to his Senate duties.

Family time now.

[Upthevibe]

12. I don't see him lasting but for a few more day....n/t

[Upthevibe]

13. ...just called Collins...N/T

[spiderpig]

14. Much as I disagreed with him over the years

he served his country honorably and had a wicked sense of humor (which I value above all else*).

*That doesn't include picking Palin as a running mate, though.

Go peacefully surrounded by loved ones, John. This is no time for politics.

[democrank]

17. Senator McCain has shown such incredible courage

as a prisoner of war, and now as he faces this vicious brain cancer. My thoughts are with him and his family and I wish them all peace.

[ananda]

18. Four senators, including Corker, have been bribed ..

.. and will be personally enriched by special provisions
McConnell put in the bill.

[lordsummerisle]

20. The best government money can buy... n/t

[oasis]

28. +10,000

[Siwsan]

22. I wish him peace of mind and quality time with his family.

I'll be surprised if he returns to the Senate. It is something about the expression in his eyes. The last couple of recent photos I saw of him reminded me very much of how my Dad looked when his brain tumor was advancing.

[brooklynite]

23. A Congressperson I know said there was thinking on the hill that he might be preparing to resign

[estefanyo]

24. The spotlight is on Susan Collins, the fake moderate

It's time for Collins to live up to her flimsy and ill-deserved reputation as a "moderate". She should vote against this bill for the rich.