McCain’s absence gives GOP more time to whip healthcare votes

Sen. John McCain’s unexpected surgery and week-long recovery has given GOP leaders more time to whip votes for healthcare reform. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., released a new healthcare bill draft Thursday and planned to schedule a vote this week. But with McCain absent and zero votes to spare, McConnell had to put those plans on hold. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, McConnell’s second in command, told NBC on Sunday Republicans will vote on the bill as soon as McCain returns to Washington. But even then, it’s not clear party leaders have enough votes to move forward. Republicans have a 52-48 majority in the Senate. Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, say they will vote against the bill. Paul’s not optimistic more time will help the bill’s chances: “I think the longer the bill’s out there, the more conservative Republicans are going to discover that it’s not repeal,” he told CBS on Sunday. Collins told ABC as many as 10 GOP senators have deep concerns, but she wouldn’t predict the vote will fail: “I never underestimate Leader McConnell’s skills.”