Sen. Lindsey Graham responds to Sen. John McCain's announcement that he won't vote for the Cassidy-Graham health bill. Photo: J. Scott Applewhite / AP
Sen. Lindsey Graham issued a statement Friday in response to his longtime friend Sen. John McCain's announcement that he won't vote for the Cassidy-Graham health care bill, which likely kills the Senate's last attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act before its Sept. 30 deadline.
Key quotes: "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... I respectfully disagree with his position... We press on." Meanwhile, Sen. Bill Cassidy said he is "disappointed" with McCain, but will continue to work on the bill's passage.
Graham's full statement:
"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.I respectfully disagree with his position not to proceed forward on Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson. I know Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson is the best chance to repeal and replace Obamacare.Obamacare is 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 versus Washington-knows-best health care.I'm completely convinced taking money and power out of Washington and returning it to states to administer health care is the best way to replace a collapsing Obamacare system. I'm excited about solutions we have found in Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson. We press on."
Sen. Bill Cassidy's full statement:
"I am disappointed that Senator John McCain is not voting to repeal and replace Obamacare. But, as long as there are families being penalized because they can't afford insurance costing $30,000 to $40,000 a year, I will continue to work for those families."