John McCain returns home to AZ; will miss vote on tax bill

(RNN) – Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will miss the upcoming vote on the Republican-backed tax bill, CBS and CNN reported Sunday.

McCain, 81, had been hospitalized due to a viral infection during his treatment for brain cancer. McCain will undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation at the Mayor Clinic in Arizona. Dr. Mark Gilbert chief of neuro-oncology at the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute, said McCain responded well to his treatment at Walter Reed Medical Center.

“An evaluation of his underlying cancer shows he is responding positively to ongoing treatment,” Gilbert said of McCain. Expressing thanks to supporters, McCain’s office said Sunday that he “looks forward to returning to Washington in January.”

McCain’s daughter, Meghan tweeted he was doing well and the family will spend Christmas together in Arizona.

The Republicans hold a 52-48 majority in the Senate. With McCain gone, they can afford to lose only one more Republican vote in order to pass the bill.

Last week, Republican Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Corker (R-TN) announced their support for the bill after winning some amendments or provisions.

The Republicans were also without Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS), who was also dealing with health issues. Citing a spokesperson, CBS said Cochran had recovered and will be available for the tax vote.

The vote is expected to come this week to fulfill a promise to pass the bill before Christmas. The bill has already passed the House of Representatives and Senate, but differences in each version needed to be reconciled before a final vote could take place.

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