John McCain Sticks A Thumb In Trump’s Eye By Supporting Bill To Strengthen Obamacare

Sen. John McCain dealt another blow to Trump by announcing that he will support the Senate bill to strengthen Obamacare.

McCain said in a statement, “I want to commend Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray for reaching a bipartisan agreement to help stabilize the individual health insurance marketplace. As I have repeatedly stressed, health care reform ought to be the product of regular order in the Senate, and the deal reached today marks a critical step towards that end. Over the past several months, the HELP Committee heard testimony from governors, insurance commissioners, and stakeholders about ways to provide short-term relief to the individual marketplace and streamline the 1332 waiver process to provide states with greater flexibility. While this deal certainly doesn’t solve all the problems caused by Obamacare, it shows that good faith, bipartisan negotiations can achieve consensus on lasting reform. It is my hope that this is a sign of increased bipartisanship moving forward. I look forward to voting in support of this bill.”

Sen. McCain has been very clear that he wants to see bipartisan compromise and legislation coming to the floor through regular order. The agreement to stabilize the insurance markets meets both of those criteria.

Trump threatened McCain during a local radio interview on Tuesday after McCain took apart Trump in a speech where he was awarded the Liberty Medal, and the Arizona Senator’s support for this legislation is certain to drive Trump nuts.

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There should be more than enough Republicans in the Senate to get this legislation to the needed 60 votes of support. As McCain fights a battle against brain cancer, he is working on what matters most to him. John McCain loves the institution of the Senate, and he is putting his efforts into making the Senate stronger and bipartisan. If John McCain’s final act in public life is to stand up to Donald Trump, it will be one final service to his country that is fitting of a man who is already regarded by many as a hero.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association