In Senate, ailing lawmakers given plenty of time to recover

WASHINGTON » Sen. John McCain’s treatment for brain cancer could keep him out of Washington for weeks, perhaps months, and yet it’s unlikely anyone will challenge his extended leave.

Congress has a long tradition in which no one questions ailing lawmakers taking time to recover. For starters, it’s just poor form. And, frankly, it’s up to the stricken member of Congress and their doctors to decide when — or even if — they return to work. Some have recuperated away from the Capitol for a year or more.

It’s an unwritten courtesy that often doesn’t extend to the real working world where employees are forced to file for medical disability or take unpaid leave.

Julie Tarallo, McCain’s spokeswoman, said Friday that “further consultations with Sen. McCain’s Mayo Clinic care team will indicate when he will return to the United States Senate.”

McCain had taken to Twitter on Thursday promising a quick return.

“Unfortunately for my sparring partners in Congress, I’ll be back soon, so stand-by!” said the six-term Arizona Republican and 2008 GOP presidential nominee.

The 80-year-old McCain was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive type of brain cancer, according to doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, who had removed a blood clot above his left eye last Friday. He and his family are weighing his treatment, including radiation and chemotherapy.

In the immediate aftermath of McCain’s diagnosis, Republicans wouldn’t speculate about what the temporary loss of McCain’s vote would mean. But McCain’s absence complicates Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s plans for a Senate vote on a GOP health care bill to erase much of the Affordable Care Act. A vote is possible on Tuesday, but GOP defections plus McCain’s likely absence could sink any chance even to get started.

News of his diagnosis prompted an outpouring of support and prayers from Democrats and Republicans. No one suggested he step down — except former GOP rival Kelli Ward.

In a statement, Ward said, “When the time comes that Senator McCain can no longer perform his duties in the Senate at full capacity, he owes it to the people of Arizona to step aside.”

McCain easily defeated Ward in last year’s primary.

McCain wouldn’t be the first lawmaker this year to miss votes, hearings and other legislative action. Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson remained in Georgia for several weeks earlier this year as he underwent two back surgeries and recuperated. Isakson missed the vote on confirming Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.

In January 2012, then-Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill. suffered a major stroke and didn’t return for almost a full year, making a dramatic entrance by climbing the steps of the Capitol on the opening day of the following Congress.

In a lawmaker’s absence, congressional staff keep the office operating, send out news releases — one from McCain on Thursday blasted the Trump administration’s Syria policy — and respond to constituents.

Absences can leave the margin of control on a razor’s edge.

The month after Democrats won back the Senate in 2006, South Dakota Democrat Tim Johnson had a near-fatal episode of bleeding in his brain that, at the time, threatened to shift the Senate’s margin from 51-49 Democratic to 50-50 GOP control with Republican Vice President Dick Cheney the deciding vote. Johnson recovered but was away from the Senate for almost nine months.

McCain is battling the same form of cancer that claimed the life of Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., in August 2009. Kennedy was away from the Senate for extended stretches but returned on occasion to vote.