Former Vice President Joe Biden reportedly called Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) ahead of Friday’s vote on Senate Republicans’ healthcare bill, asking that he oppose the legislation.
According to a report by The Washington Post, McCain was called by both Biden and former Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) ahead of the vote, both pleading with McCain to oppose the “skinny’ repeal.
Lieberman supported voting for ObamaCare while a senator, and reportedly explained that continued support to McCain during his call. {mosads}
The Post reported that Biden had a more emotional discussion with McCain, reflecting on his son Beau Biden’s death to the same brain cancer McCain was diagnosed with earlier this month. Biden’s son died in 2015, two years after his initial diagnosis.
McCain shocked Republicans and Democrats by voting alongside Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) to oppose the bare bones “skinny” repeal of ObamaCare on Friday.
The three no votes from Republicans, alongside opposition from Senate Democrats, are what ultimately killed the bill.