Will McCain’s Return To Washington Help Republicans Push The Health Care Bill?

Republican Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) tweeted Monday night he would return to Washington on Tuesday to participate in the showdown health care vote. His return was announced days after he made public he was battling with brain tumor.

His office released a statement that read: “Senator McCain looks forward to returning to the United States Senate tomorrow to continue working on important legislation, including health care reform, the National Defense Authorization Act, and new sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea.”

His return might serve as a respite to the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who has been trying hard to push the health care vote amid vehement opposition from the Democrats and the Independents. McConnell needs at least 50 votes for the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) to be passed by the Senate where the Grand Old Party holds 52-48 majority. Two of the Republican Senators — Rand Paul (Kentucky) and Susan Collins (Maine) — earlier said they were opposed to the Republican health care bill that would largely affect the people with pre-existing conditions.

Read: Republican Health Care Bill Vote Delayed, Again

In a tweet that made his frustration over the delay in the repeal of Obamacare evident, President Donald Trump yet again called upon the senators Monday to dismantle the signature legislation of his predecessor and former President Barack Obama. He even referred to Obamacare as "nightmare." Trump earlier insisted he would not want the Senators to leave Washington, D.C. for August recess without passing the health care bill.

It goes without saying that GOP’s bid to dismantle the Affordable Care Act has pitted Republicans against each other. In a remark that had a sexist undertone, Rep. Randolph Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) said Monday his party was not able to pass the bill due to the female senators.

“Some of the people that are opposed to this, there are female senators from the north-east," he told a local radio station. “If it was a guy from south Texas, I might ask him to step outside and settle this Aaron Burr-style.” He was referring to the 1804 duel between prominent politician Aaron Burr and former Vice President Alexander Hamilton.

Amid the standoff, Sen. Ted Cruz said he has tried to “bridge the divide in the party” by introducing the Cruz Amendment that would allow the insurers to sell the plans that don’t meet the ACA requirements. The amendment that allows the insurers to exclude essential health benefits from the insurance plans — such as mental health services — has been included in the GOP bill, however, many insurers do not approve it. A joint statement was issued July 14 by America’s Health Insurance Plans and BlueCross BlueShield Association to underline that the Cruz’s "Consumer Freedom Amendment" was “unworkable.”

Referring to the latest version of the BCRA, the CBO said: "According to CBO and JCT’s estimates, in 2018, 15 million more people would be uninsured under this legislation than under current law. In 2026, an estimated 82 percent of all U.S. residents under age 65 would be insured, compared with 90 percent under current law.”

Despite the criticism, Cruz yet again insisted Monday the Senators should come together irrespective of the differences and Obamacare should be repealed. “While disagreements remain on the best way to repeal and replace Obamacare, one thing is certain: the American people rightfully expect us to keep our promises and get the job done,” the statement issued by his office read.

Read: Is Obamacare Really Collapsing?

Meanwhile, in a blistering letter, thousands of Catholic sisters, referring to the ACA repeal, have urged senators to vote a “No” on Tuesday. A total of 7,015 sisters from 50 states signed the letter published first by the Network which is "a Catholic leader in the global movement for justice and peace, educates, organizes and lobbies for economic and social transformation,” according to its official website.

As McCain announced his return to Washington, Twitter was flooded with reactions. A Twitter user asked the people in the United States to take to the streets against the GOP bill like the Poles protested last week against the controversial judicial reform bills.

Some Twitter users said McCain was no hero in a sarcastic reference to the senator’s return after surgery.

Many social media users opposed the GOP bill and some asked McCain to vote “No.”