John McCain's Obamacare vote praised by Democrat Chuck Schumer
The 80-year-old maverick is praised as someone who strongly "speaks truth to power" after defying his party and Donald Trump.
Friday 28 July 2017 21:21, UK
Senior Democrat Chuck Schumer has praised Republican senator John McCain after he cast the deciding vote that stopped Obamacare being repealed.
The US Senate Democratic leader said: "I have not seen a senator who speaks truth to power as strongly, as well and as frequently as John McCain.
"The very same courage he showed as a naval aviator in Vietnam, he showed last night…He's just a wonderful man. I treasure his friendship and just the fact of knowing him."
Senator McCain flew from Arizona this week to vote after being diagnosed with brain cancer and was heading back for further treatment starting on Monday.
Senator Schumer also paid tribute to the two other Republican senators who defied their party - Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine.
He added that was "a turning point".
"On healthcare, I hope we can work together to make the system better in a bipartisan way," he said.
The US Senate Republicans' failure to overturn Obamacare in the early hours of Friday was a stinging blow to President Donald Trump, who had made replacing it central to his successful campaign for the White House.
It may also end the Republican Party's seven-year quest to repeal former president Barack Obama's healthcare law.
Senator McCain had been expected to save the bill for President Trump and his own party's leadership.
But the so-called 'skinny repeal' - officially titled the Health Care Freedom Act - was narrowly defeated by 51 votes to 49. All 48 Senate Democrats also rejected it.
The measure would have overturned the mandate that most individuals get health insurance and suspended a requirement that large companies cover their employees. It would also have delayed a tax on medical devices.
Speaking about his decision to defy his party's leadership, Senator McCain urged Republicans and Democrats to work together for a "fresh start" on healthcare reform.
"Our inability to address the pressing healthcare needs of the American people with meaningful and lasting reform is inexcusable," he said.
Speaking after the vote, Mr Trump said: "Let Obamacare implode."
"Boy, oh boy, they've been working on that one for seven years," he said on Friday.
"Can you believe that? The swamp. But we'll get it done."
Earlier on Friday, he tweeted: "3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down".
A long-time opponent of Obamacare, Senator McCain said soon after the vote in the early hours of Friday morning: "From the beginning, I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people.
"The so-called 'skinny repeal' amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals."