Graham reaffirms friendship with McCain despite opposition to ObamaCare repeal

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) reaffirmed his friendship with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) Friday after McCain announced his opposition to the ObamaCare repeal bill co-sponsored by Graham.

“My friendship with John McCain is not based on how he votes but respect for how he’s lived his life and the person he is,” Graham said in a statement. “I respectfully disagree with his position not to proceed forward on Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson.”

McCain announced Friday that he would vote against the latest GOP proposal to repeal and replace ObamaCare.

{mosads}McCain also voted against the last Republican effort to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama’s signature health-care bill. Both times, McCain has been a key vote in the Republican effort to pass legislation.

Graham said his bill, which he is co-sponsoring with GOP Sens. Bill Cassidy (La.), Ron Johnson (Wis.) and Dean Heller (Nev.), is Republicans’ “best chance to repeal and replace ObamaCare” and accused ObamaCare of “collapsing in Arizona, South Carolina and across the nation — driving up premiums and reducing choices.”

“I feel an obligation to fix this disaster and intend to push forward for state-centric health care vs. Washington-knows-best health care,” Graham said.

“Taking money/power out of Washington & returning it to states to administer [health care] is the best way to replace a collapsing Obamacare system,” he continued. “I’m excited about solutions we have found in Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson.  We press on.”

My friendship with @SenJohnMcCain is not based on how he votes but respect for how he’s lived his life and the person he is.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 22, 2017

I respectfully disagree with @SenJohnMcCain position not to proceed forward on Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 22, 2017

I know Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson is the best chance to repeal and replace Obamacare.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 22, 2017

Obamacare is collapsing in Arizona, South Carolina and across the nation –
driving up premiums and reducing choices.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 22, 2017

I feel an obligation to fix this disaster and intend to push forward for state-centric health care vs Washington-knows-best health care.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 22, 2017

Taking money/power out of Washington & returning it to states to administer HC is the best way to replace a collapsing Obamacare system.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 22, 2017

I’m excited about solutions we have found in Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson. We press on.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 22, 2017

“I cannot in good conscience vote for the Graham-Cassidy proposal. I believe we could do better working together, Republicans and Democrats, and have not yet really tried,” McCain said in a statement on Friday.

McCain’s opposition leaves Republicans with no room for error as they try to gather the 50 votes necessary to pass the bill. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has already announced his opposition to the bill, and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said Friday she is “leaning against” the bill.