McCain, expected to save health bill, became executioner

year.

Friday afternoon, Mr. McCain’s office announced WASHINGTON — John he was returning to Arizona McCain seemed poised to be to begin radiation and chemotherapy the savior of the GOP health treatments for bill when he returned to the his brain tumor. Capitol despite a brain cancer After so many years as a diagnosis. senator, with so little left to

He turned out to be the executioner. lose, Mr. McCain had taken a stand for the Senate he

The longtime Arizona used to inhabit, the one senator stunned pretty where he made deals across much everyone Friday by the aisle with the likes of Ted turning on his party and his Kennedy. president and joining two “We have seen the world’s other GOP senators in voting greatest deliberative body “no” on the Republicans’ succumb to partisan rancor final effort to repeal “Obamacare.” and gridlock,” Mr. McCain said in a statement. “The

That killed the bill. And it vote last night presents the also dealt what looks like a Senate with an opportunity death blow to the Republican to start fresh. It is now time Party’s years of promises to return to regular order to get rid of Barack with input from all of our Obama’s health law, pledges members — Republicans that helped the GOP win and Democrats — and bring control of the House, the a bill to the floor of the Senate and the White House. Senate for amendment and

It was a moment burning debate.” with drama, irony and contradictions, President Donald Trump playing out live tweeted his disapproval of on a tense Senate floor. Mr. McCain’s “no‘” vote, as

Eighty years old and in well as those of fellow GOP the twilight of a remarkable Sens. Susan Collins of Maine career, Mr. McCain lived up and Lisa Murkowski of to his reputation as a maverick. Alaska, whose oppositions When he walked into the had been expected. But a well of the Senate around president who once mocked 1:30 a.m. and gave a thumbsdown Mr. McCain’s years as a prisoner to the legislation, of war in Vietnam did there were audible gasps. not have much sway with Democrats briefly broke the senator when it counted. into cheers, which Minority “John McCain is blessed Leader Chuck Schumer with an internal gyroscope quickly waved his arm to of right and wrong,” said Mr. quiet. Schumer, who negotiated a

Majority Leader Mitch sweeping immigration bill McConnell stood stonefaced, with Mr. McCain several his arms crossed. Mr. years ago and has been talking McCain had just saved the with him frequently of signature legislative late. achievement of the man who “He gets angry, for sure, beat him for the presidency but when push comes to in 2008, a law the senator shove and there are brass himself had vigorously campaigned tacks, that internal gyroscope against while seeking of right and wrong a sixth Senate term last guides him.” Associated Press