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McCain said he would likely vote yes so lawmakers can debate the legislation. Jacquelyn Martin/PA Images

John McCain returns to Washington after blood clot surgery to vote on Obamacare

The 80-year-old senator has been diagnosed with brain cancer.

US SENATOR JOHN McCain will return to Washington today for the first time since being diagnosed with brain cancer, his office announced, in order to take key votes on repealing Obamacare and passing sanctions on Russia.

“Senator McCain looks forward to returning to the United States Senate tomorrow to continue working on important legislation, including health care reform, the National Defence Authorisation Act and new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea,” a statement read last night.

The 80-year-old McCain, recuperating after surgery in his home state of Arizona, tweeted a similar message, announcing he would be back in action in the Senate on Tuesday.

His aides announced last week that he underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from above his left eye, and tests confirmed discovery of a brain tumour known as a glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive cancer.

His vote on health care is seen to be crucial.

Republicans hold 52 of the Senate’s 100 seats. With all Democrats opposed, President Donald Trump can afford just two defectors on the health care reform vote.

Debate

Republicans are threading the needle on the bill, as three of the party’s senators said last week they would vote no on the motion to proceed.

McCain has told reporters in the past that he would likely vote yes on the so-called motion to proceed, the step that allows lawmakers to begin debate on legislation.

Republican leadership and Trump himself are leaning heavily on lawmakers to agree to vote on the procedural step that allows the Senate to begin debating – and amending – the bill.

A vote is also expected today in the House of Representatives on a sanctions bill that will likely quickly come to the Senate.

The bill would impose tough new sanctions on Russia for its alleged meddling in the US presidential election last year and Moscow’s annexation of Crimea. It would also punish Iran and North Korea for recent ballistic missile tests.

Since the diagnosis, McCain has been showered with tributes from all sides as an American original whose lifetime of public service included years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and the 2008 Republican presidential nominee.

- © AFP 2017.

Read: Former US presidential candidate John McCain diagnosed with brain cancer>

Read: Trump’s healthcare plan falls apart as two more Republicans go against it>

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    Mute Miriam
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    Jul 18th 2020, 6:48 PM

    Very interesting- well done to the author making life worth living again!

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    Mute Albert Brennerman
    Favourite Albert Brennerman
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    Jul 18th 2020, 10:40 PM

    Very well put especially our minds can lie to us. Not just addiction, I often shook my head, slapped myself, threw water on my face to escape an unwelcome emotion. Took 10 years to find that statement, the mind can lie, before you get to do something it had already whispered the negative outcome. From that continuously they also rewire. On form, off form confidence or none, you can’t smack, splash a neuroconnection away easily. It’s a marathon task to change yourself from that cycle. A story that I hope others will see and find their own path.

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    Mute deisecelt
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    Jul 18th 2020, 9:18 PM

    The support available for eating disorders in Ireland is atrocious….3 public bed available to serve tens of thousands apparently. Average stint in a private hospital (about 8-12 weeks) is upwards of 50 grand. We’ve a lot to do. Great support available in uk.

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    Mute Sinead Mooney
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    Jul 19th 2020, 6:41 AM

    @deisecelt: hospital beds are for those medically unwell though which is really restricted to those with a restrictive ED or anorexia nervosa. That would be a regular medical bed for which the usual ‘bed shortage’ issues apply. Treatment for binge eating disorder would be as an outpatient. Psychiatric beds for eating disorder are few and far between but again can’t see binge eating disorder requiring one unless part of a syndrome like Prader Willi and some other mental health issue at play.

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    Mute Gavin Kearney
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    Jul 18th 2020, 11:04 PM

    Well done author for writing this so well. Food is accompanied with so many rewards both physically and socially, that’s where the danger is. It’s also one of the hardest addictions to stop because unlike smoking/drink/drugs, you can’t just abstain, you still need to eat. And the remorse you feel after binging is ridiculously strong. Not only women suffer through this also.

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    Mute Rathminder
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    Jul 19th 2020, 8:25 AM

    Thank you for sharing your story. The 12 Step programs share a success rate with inpatient programs for addictive disorders. And they are free, you may give a donation at your ability. You talk about connecting with your Higher Power. It is important for people to understand that some Judeo-Christian deity is not necessary. Twelve Step programs provide not only support but a structure for better dealing with stress and emotion.

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    Mute Coole Swan
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    Jul 18th 2020, 6:59 PM

    Is purge vomiting or going out the other way. Do u need a laxative to expel it?

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    Mute SilexFlint
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    Jul 18th 2020, 7:22 PM

    @Coole Swan: Vomiting if i remember my H.E. correctly

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    Mute Gavin Kearney
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    Jul 18th 2020, 10:59 PM

    @Coole Swan: it’s either

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    Mute Sinead Mooney
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    Jul 19th 2020, 6:42 AM

    @Coole Swan: both

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    Mute Alan Wallace
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    Jul 19th 2020, 10:24 AM

    The success rate of 12 step programs is abysmal to say the least. Studies have shown that only 5 percent of people stick with 12 programs after 12 month.

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    Mute Alan Wallace
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    Jul 18th 2020, 11:06 PM

    The 12 steps has a terrible success rate, studies have shown only 5 percent of people stick with a 12 step program after 12 months.

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    Mute Alan Wallace
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    Jul 19th 2020, 10:22 AM

    The success rate of 12 step programs is abysmal. Studies have shown that only 5%of people stick with 12 step programs after 12 months.

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    Mute Alan Wallace
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    Jul 19th 2020, 10:19 AM

    The success rate of 12 programs is abysmal. Studies have shown that only 5 %of people stick with 12 step programs after 12 months

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