Sen. John McCain slams GOP process in fiery floor remarks: 'We're not getting anywhere'

Sen. John McCain of Arizona offered fiery floor remarks on Tuesday when he returned to Capitol Hill on Tuesday for debate on the Senate GOP's bill to repeal and replace Obamacare, saying he would not vote yes on the bill in its current state.

"I will not vote for this bill as it is today," Sen. John McCain said. "It is a shell of a bill right now."

McCain's passionate remarks come after the Republican senator was diagnosed with brain cancer last week following a blood clot removal surgery.

McCain voted yes on the motion to move forward debate on the health care bill just before offering his remarks, saying "something has to be done" on health care.

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A middle of the road tone emerged from the 30-year Senate veteran during his speech, though, when he spoke poorly of the process used by GOP leadership in moving forward a replacement bill without hearings.

"We are getting nothing done, my friends, we're getting nothing done," McCain stated. "Our health care insurance system is a mess. We all know it — those who support Obamacare and those who oppose it."

McCain also spoke broadly on the role of Capitol Hill lawmakers during his remarks, seemingly criticizing President Trump for his top-down approach to policy dealings inside the beltway.

"Whether or not we are of the same party, we are not the president's subordinates," McCain said. "We are his equal."

McCain said he would remain in Washington for a few days before returning home, and gravely summed up the work of the legislative body to which he belongs, saying, "the success of the Senate is important to the continued success of America."

The Senate then moved to debating amendments relative to their bill that would overhaul the Affordable Care Act as national health care law.

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