Inside the Night McCain Helped Doom the Republican Health Care Bill | 'McCain' | FRONTLINE

In the opening scene from the FRONTLINE documentary, "McCain," the six-term senator’s colleagues reveal new details from the night of his deciding vote against the GOP’s bill to repeal Obamacare.

McCain had been diagnosed with a deadly form of brain cancer just over a week before, and returned to Capitol Hill for the vote on what would have been Trump’s first major legislative achievement.

“[Sen.] Lisa Murkowski (R-Ariz.) and I knew that he had reservations,” Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a longtime colleague of McCain’s, tells FRONTLINE. “We were talking with him about the bill. And all of a sudden, he pointed to both of us and he said, ‘You know, you two are right.’”

Then, Collins says, she felt a tap on her shoulder. It was Vice President Mike Pence, who had come to pressure McCain to support the president.

“The vice president stood toe to toe with John McCain,” Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) tells FRONTLINE. “And he was in his space. It was very close. They went on for, I don’t know, it seemed like 15 or 20 minutes, back and forth, back and forth.”

Ultimately, King says, Pence turned on his heel and walked away. And then came McCain’s “thumbs down” vote — striking the crushing blow against a key campaign promise that had been made by a president who had criticized McCain’s Vietnam war record, called him a “dummy,” and portrayed him as a symbol of the old Republican Party.

Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Major funding for FRONTLINE is provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Abrams Foundation, the Park Foundation, The John and Helen Glessner Family Trust, and the FRONTLINE Journalism Fund with major support from Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation.

[tifwashington]

I think his diagnoses a week before the vote made him think about the millions of americans who needed healthcare.

[ajreyes]

His Vote allowed me to have eye surgery....and when I hear the name, John McCain..I will always snap to attention and my grandkids will know what this honorable man did for their Grandfather.

[theseageek]

This vote by Senator McCain should go into the history book, just to show what putting country over party was like.

[cocktail_dad]

I laughed hard when they said, "Mike Pence came to pressure McCain."

[jessicanish]

Grateful eternally for McCain and how he helped me. I am a pre-existing condition and he helped protect me

[sundance]

With the diagnosis of brain cancer, he knew he had the power to decide which side of history he would go down in. He went out with a bang knowing his vote would forever be in the history books.

[matthewalley]

I disagreed with him on many things but will always respect his willingness to prioritize country over party and do the right thing when most of the GOP wouldnt

[ijvo]

I watched this vote and when I saw McCain sitting with Sen. Bernie Sanders on the Senate Floor I knew which way he was going to vote.

[BelgiumPress]

RIP Senator, thank you for that last memorable moment, we'll not forget.

[danceoutnow]

Some folks have already mentioned it here, but it's so worth driving home.

4 years ago, when everything was going well, a republican congress attempted to scrap the ACA with no plan in place. If they had succeeded, we would be in the middle of a pandemic with a healthcare system in total disarray instead of partial disarray.

No one, not even McCain, could see 2020 coming back then. But to the last, even with terminal brain cancer, McCain served his country. Make no mistake, McCain had no love for the ACA. But he refused to scrap it without a replacement, and he knew his party members either would not or could not replace it. So one final time, when it mattered most, he voted as a responsible citizen and not a lackey. If McCain had a "fault" as a politician, it was that he cared more about people than winning records and imposing party will. Well done sir, and thank you for all your forms of service.

[mcoleman]

John McCain, once again, proved to be a true hero in the service of his country. The right one in the right place at the right time can change the world. Rest in peace, Senator.🇺🇸🇺🇸💪💪

[TheDevnul]

It’s been 4 years, trump still does not have a plan to replace the ACA.

[plaidzebra]

3:19 What people don't talk about is when McCain looks McConnell in the eyes after he votes "No" and then turns and walks away. <3 it.

[livylu]

Much respect for the man who may have been the last true and honorable Republican.
John McCain

[pat_rickk]

The only republican who isn't scared of trump

[undertakr]

McCain made many mistakes in his life, and believed in many policies that I strongly disagreed with.

But as a progressive, I'll remember him for this.

So long, McCain.

[orwellhuxley]

Doing the right thing in the face of overwhelming opposition takes guts and courage. McCain had both.

[jimmib]

Thank you John McCain! In this time of trouble, I still have health insurance. June 11, 2020

[mabikas]

Still gives me goosebumps til this day. Thank you for your service Senator John McCain. May your soul rest in peace 🙏🏾

[nobletalent]

Understand that Susan Collins would had change her vote if McCain voted before her. That is why McCain waited until her vote was on record.