ROADBLOCK

Mitch McConnell Defers Obamacare Repeal Vote After John McCain Sidelined Following Surgery

Without McCain present, Republican senators will not be able to put 50 votes together to win a procedural vote.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has deferred consideration of the bill intended to repeal the Affordable Care Act upon news that Arizona Senator John McCain has been asked by doctors to remain at home for a week following an unexpected surgery. “While John is recovering, the Senate will continue our work on legislative items and nominations, and will defer consideration of the Better Care Act,” McConnell said in a statement released Saturday night. McCain underwent a procedure to remove a blood clot in his eye on Friday. Without McCain present, Republican senators will not be able to put 50 votes together to win a procedural vote on the bill. Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have already announced that they will oppose the procedural vote.