McCain to lie in state at Capitol in Washington, Arizona

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who died on Saturday at age 81, will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., and receive a full dress funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral, according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) office. 

“The nation mourns the loss of a great American patriot, a statesman who put his country first and enriched this institution through many years of service. The Senate is keeping Cindy, the McCain family, all John’s friends and staff, and the people of Arizona in our prayers at this tremendously difficult time,” McConnell said in a statement, referring to McCain’s wife. “I appreciate my colleagues and the entire Senate and House family’s assistance with this honor.”

McCain died Saturday at the age of 81 following a battle with brain cancer.

He will also lie in state at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix, a Republican official who is involved with planning told The New York Times. He will then be buried in Annapolis, Md.

{mosads}More than 30 people have been honored by lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda, the Times noted.

The honor began in 1852 following the death of Sen. Henry Clay, who had also been Speaker.

It is often seen as a gesture reserved for the country’s “most eminent citizens.”

McCain would be the 13th former senator, according to the Architect of the Capitol.

Evangelist Billy Graham, who died in March, lay in honor in the Rotunda. 

It was reported earlier this year that former Presidents George W. Bush and Obama were expected to deliver eulogies at McCain’s funeral, which Republicans familiar with the planning echoed to the Times.

Those close to McCain have informed the White House that they plan to have Vice President Pence attend the senator’s funeral — but not President Trump. 

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) ordered all flags to be lowered to half-staff and Trump ordered the same for the White House flags.

McCain, a Vietnam War veteran and giant of the Senate, died one day after his family announced that he would be discontinuing medical treatment for brain cancer, stating that the “progress of disease and the inexorable advance of age” had rendered “their verdict.”

McCain was diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma in July 2017.

He survived years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam before becoming a leading actor on the political stage for decades.

— This report was updated on Aug. 26 at 12:36 a.m.