HE’S OUT

McCain: I ‘Cannot in Good Conscience’ Vote for Graham-Cassidy

The Arizona senator further imperils the GOP repeal plan.

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) announced his opposition to the Graham-Cassidy legislation on Friday, likely killing the health-care bill’s chances of passing the Senate. “I cannot in good conscience vote for the Graham-Cassidy proposal,” McCain said in a statement. “I believe we could do better working together, Republicans and Democrats, and have not yet really tried. Nor could I support it without knowing how much it will cost, how it will effect [sic] insurance premiums, and how many people will be helped or hurt by it. Without a full CBO score, which won’t be available by the end of the month, we won’t have reliable answers to any of those questions.” McCain acknowledged that it was a tough decision for him given his personal relationship with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), one of the bill’s co-authors. “I take no pleasure in announcing my opposition,” the senator wrote. “Far from it. 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.”