As John McCain walked in for the vote, he reportedly warned: 'Watch the show'
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) apparently made a dramatic entrance into the Senate chamber just before he cast his ObamaCare repeal-killing vote. Politico reported that as McCain walked in for the Senate vote on rolling back the Affordable Care Act, he "tantalizingly hinted": "Watch the show."
And what a show it was. Once inside the chamber, McCain, who Republicans say was waffling all day on his vote, walked up to a group of Democrats to announce he'd be voting against Republicans' plan to repeal ObamaCare. "Let's get this over with. I really want to do [the National Defense Authorization Act]," McCain, eager to move onto the next piece of legislation, reportedly said. He reportedly "embraced" Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).
He then voted no, joining Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) in killing their party's seven-year mission to undo ObamaCare in the wee hours of Friday morning. McCain cast his vote despite pleading talks with the party's top leadership, from House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Vice President Mike Pence on up to President Trump.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Politico reported that Republicans were so shocked after the vote they "could barely speak."
Read more about McCain's fateful vote at Politico.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - October 23, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - loving thy neighbour, an HR matter, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Giuliani must hand assets to women he defamed
Speed Read The former New York City mayor must turn over his apartment and other possessions
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Abercrombie ex-CEO charged with sex crimes
Speed Read Mike Jeffries ran the brand during its heyday from 1992 to 2014
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strike
Speed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published