John McCain Returns to D.C. 11 Days After Cancer Diagnosis to Push Ahead Obamacare Repeal

On Tuesday, less than two weeks after being diagnosed with brain cancer, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) returned to Washington D.C. to cast his vote in a motion to proceed with repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.

I'm grateful to the ppl of Arizona for the privilege to serve& play a small role in the history of the nation I love https://t.co/7j00J2Rilz

— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) July 25, 2017

McCain voted in favor of proceeding, leaving the vote tied with all Democrats and two Republican senators — Sens. Murkowski (R-AK) and Collins (R-ME) — opposing. Vice President Pence was there to break the tie, moving the fight to repeal Obamacare forward.

Following the vote, McCain gave a speech, noting he would not vote for the bill in its current state. “I will not vote for this bill as it is today,” he said. “It’s a shell of a bill right now, we all know that.”

As news of the motion passing made its way around social media, Twitter users had a lot to say about McCain’s return, as well as today’s important vote.

I wish @SenJohnMcCain well w/ brain tumor. But @cnn treating his return as heroic when he's voting 2 kill Americans is DISGUSTING #SaveACA

— Jordan (@JordanChariton) July 25, 2017

McCain came back to the Senate to take away from his own constituents the kind of healthcare that's keeping him alive. Atrocious.#SaveACA

— Samuel Sinyangwe (@samswey) July 25, 2017

Thank you for your service @SenJohnMcCain but it's your actions not your words that will matter when you leave this earth. Shame. #SaveACA

— #Enough (@bekinddotcom) July 25, 2017

Call your senators and let them know you're mad. Though the ACA isn't perfect, not having a solid plan to replace is a bad idea #SaveACA

— Corrine Reed (@Corri_Belle) July 25, 2017

Hey, John McCain and the Senate, not sure if you saw, but here are the people you doomed to die today. #TuesdayThoughts#SaveACA pic.twitter.com/rLipIZlQP5

— Sean Kane (@MaverickofKain) July 25, 2017

The irony of a man with terminal brain cancer who can afford health insurance mustering all his strength to kill people who can't. #SaveACA

— May Brian (@mabri1741) July 25, 2017

Of course, not everyone was upset the motion passed. Republicans have been promising to repeal Obamacare for the past seven years. President Trump has also been pushing for the law’s repeal, giving a speech on Monday featuring “victims of Obamacare.”

Mike Pence comes thru again ! Only Pence and Ted Cruz have consistently supported the @potus agenda ! #TuesdayThoughts #SaveACA

— OakTown ☢ Unfiltered / Follow me on Parler (@hrtablaze) July 25, 2017

.@SenJohnMcCain-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!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2017

Welcome back, @SenJohnMcCain. I know you're eager to get back to work, and we’re all very pleased to have you back with us now.

— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) July 25, 2017

With the motion-to-proceed passing, a 20-hour debate on repealing Obamacare as well as its potential replacement will follow next.