With Republican Sen. John McCain ordered to rest for one week following surgery for a blood clot, the vote on the new version of the health care bill won’t occur until he returns, two congressional aides told CNN on Saturday night.
Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tweeted that the Senate will work on other legislative issues and nominations, and “will defer consideration of the Better Care Act” while McCain is recovering.
McCain is in Arizona after having a blood clot removed from above his left eye.
His office said the clot was discovered during an annual physical and removed Friday at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix.
“Thanks to @MayoClinic for its excellent care — I appreciate your support & look forward to getting back to work!” McCain’s verified account tweeted Saturday.
Senate Republicans unveiled a revised version of their health care bill Thursday, and GOP leaders had planned a vote (or at least to take the procedural steps toward a vote) in the upcoming week.
That procedural vote could have come as early as Tuesday .
McConnell needs the support of 50 of 52 GOP senators to proceed to a floor debate on the bill, and two senators — Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky — have already said they will not support that motion.
McCain said in a statement Thursday: “The revised Senate health care bill released today does not include the measures I have been advocating for on behalf of the people of Arizona.” McCain said that he would file amendments that would address concerns of leaders from his state about how the bill would affect Medicaid.
His office released a statement saying McCain, 80, is resting at his home.
“His Mayo Clinic doctors report that the surgery went ‘very well’ and he is in good spirits,” his office said. “Once the pathology information is available, further care will be discussed between doctors and the family.”
Doctors ordered a week of rest, the statement from McCain’s office said.
The other Republican senator from Arizona praised McCain.
“I have never known a man more tenacious and resilient than John McCain,” Jeff Flake said. “I look forward to seeing him back at work soon. In the meantime, Cheryl and I extend our best wishes to John, Cindy and the entire McCain family and pray for his speedy recovery.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, tweeted: “Praying for a speedy recovery for my friend @SenJohnMcCain.”