Senate welcomes Mccain’s return
Six-term stalwart ready for session amid ongoing cancer fight
WASHINGTON — Sen. John Mccain declared himself ready for a rigorous Washington schedule after he returned to the Capitol following weeks-long treatment in his home state for brain cancer.
“I feel fine,” the sixterm Arizona Republican said Tuesday as his Senate colleagues welcomed him with hugs, pats on the shoulder or a simple handshake.
Mccain, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said he’ll begin shepherding the annual defense policy bill through the Senate next week.
The legislation is seeking $700 billion for the Pentagon in the 2018 budget year. Lawmakers are first taking up legislation to speed relief aid to Texas and Louisiana in the wake of the Harvey storm.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell, in remarks at the start of the Senate session, said lawmakers are “glad to have him back with us.” During a vote, Mccain walked around the Senate floor, cheerfully chatting with some lawmakers.
Mccain capped a busy schedule during Congress’ August recess with a trip to an international forum in Italy. He spoke at the Ambrosetti Forum, joining Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on a panel focused on the United States.
The six-term senator received radiation and chemotherapy for cancer at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. Mccain, 81, underwent surgery in mid-july to remove a 2-inch blood clot in his brain. He announced shortly thereafter that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive tumor called a glioblastoma.
But Mccain’s medical condition didn’t slow him down. During the month of August, he went hiking several times with his family.