WASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain announced on Friday that he'll vote against the Graham-Cassidy Republican health care bill, putting the future of the legislation in peril.
McCain complained about the process, criticizing the lack of debate and committee time for legislation that would remake the country's health care system.
"Committees of jurisdiction should mark up legislation with input from all committee members, and send their bill to the floor for debate and amendment," McCain said in a statement.
"That is the only way we might achieve bipartisan consensus on lasting reform, without which a policy that affects one-fifth of our economy and every single American family will be subject to reversal with every change of administration and congressional majority."
McCain was one of three votes that helped to sink the Republican effort in late July, just days after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. He criticized the closed-door process then, too.
McCain’s surprise Friday afternoon announcement, coupled with statements of opposition by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., means Republicans can’t lose another vote as only two Republicans can defect in order for the legislation to pass. All eyes now turn to GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, both of whom recently voted against the so-called "skinny repeal" bill and say they are undecided on the latest measure.
McCain's opposition goes against one of his closest confidantes, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who has been championing this latest effort.
"I take no pleasure in announcing my opposition. Far From it," McCain wrote in a statement. "The bill’s authors are my dear friends, and I think the world of them. I know they are acting consistently with their beliefs and sense of what is best for the country. So am I."
Graham tweeted his reaction to McCain's decision, saying that he supports his friend but that he still thinks his legislation is the best option to repeal Obamacare.
Cassidy said he's "disappointed" by McCain's decision.
"I am disappointed that Senator John McCain is not voting to repeal and replace Obamacare. But, as long as there are families being penalized because they can’t afford insurance costing $30,000 to $40,000 a year, I will continue to work for those families," Cassidy wrote in a statement.
"President Trump and I firmly believe the Graham-Cassidy bill is the right bill, at the right time to repeal and replace Obamacare," Vice President Mike Pence told a crowd gathered in Anderson, Indiana, where he was promoting tax reform.
"It’s time for every member of the Republican majority to keep their word to the American people,” Pence added, reminding that Republicans were "not elected to save Obamacare, they were elected to repeal and replace it."
McCain was praised, however, by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
"John McCain shows the same courage in Congress that he showed when he was a naval aviator. I have assured Senator McCain that as soon as repeal is off the table, we Democrats are intent on resuming the bipartisan process," Schumer said.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said he intends to put the bill on the floor next week. But he might choose not to if he doesn't have 50 votes.
The last-ditch effort to partially repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act gained steam last week when Graham and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., introduced the text of their legislation and sent it to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office for an analysis.
Late night host Jimmy Kimmel, who has attacked Cassidy three nights in a row this week, tweeted his thanks to McCain shortly after the announcement.
