Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) just announced that he will vote against the latest GOP effort to repeal ObamaCare, potentially dooming the legislation. He joints Rand Paul (R-Ky) in being against the bill.
BREAKING: McCain says in statement, “I cannot in good conscience vote for the Graham-Cassidy proposal.”
— Steven Portnoy (@stevenportnoy) September 22, 2017
If both stick to their word, then the bill will end up being a 50-50 tie in the Senate, causing Vice President Pence to make a tie-breaking vote.
Oddly, the two Republican “no” votes have nothing to do with the fact that Graham-Cassidy will result in tens of millions being off health insurance.
Rand Paul doesn’t like it because it doesn’t completely repeal Obamacare.
McCain doesn’t like it because he doesn’t are for the process (no hearings, debates, amendments, etc.)
By going against it now, McCain is a) not the decisive vote against his close friend's bill & b) has given others cover to formally kill it.
— Paul Kane (@pkcapitol) September 22, 2017
Susan Collins (R-Ct) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) are the most likely Republicans to come out against the bill, since they have also voted against previous attempts to replace Obamacare. Susan Collins said earlier today she is “leaning against” it.
CAVEAT: McCain is unpredictable. And there are several days to go before a vote is called for.