McCain to miss tax vote, recover in Arizona

WASHINGTON—Republican Sen. John McCain returned home to Arizona on Sunday to recover from chemotherapy side effects and won’t be on hand to help Republicans pass tax reform this week. McCain, 81, underwent surgery in mid-July to remove a blood clot from above his left eye after being diagnosed with a cancerous tumor. “Senator McCain … will undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic,” according to a joint statement released from McCain’s office and his doctor. “He looks forward to returning to Washington in January.” McCain contracted a viral infection on Wednesday and spent four days in a Maryland hospital. Republican leaders plan a final vote on their tax reform package this week. Senate Republicans already have a razor-thin margin for error, and McCain’s absence further narrows the path forward. Without McCain, Republicans can only lose one vote because all Senate Democrats plan to reject the measure. President Donald Trump spoke with McCain on Sunday. “Hopefully we won’t, but the word is that John will come back if we need his vote,” he told reporters. “He’s going through a very tough time.”