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McCain to the Senate: "We're getting nothing done"

C-SPAN2 via AP

Sen. John McCain returned to the Senate floor for an impassioned speech, calling for both Republicans and Democrats to come together.

The big quote: "Stop listening to the bombastic loudmouths on the radio and the television and the internet — to hell with them! They don't want anything done for the public good. Our incapacity is their livelihood."

On a health care compromise: "We haven't found it yet, and I'm not sure we will…I will not vote for this bill as it is today. It's a shell of a bill right now. We all know that…If this process ends in failure, which seems likely, then let's return to regular order."

Worth considering: Just before his vote, McCain voted yes on a motion to proceed to debate a repeal of the Affordable Care Act — without knowing exactly what a repeal bill looks like and with full knowledge that the motion's failure would very likely force Sen. Mitch McConnell to bring the Senate back to regular order.

More from McCain:

  • An announcement: McCain will be returning home to treat his recently-diagnosed brain cancer, but will come back to the Senate when needed.
  • The Senate's power: "We are not the president's subordinates. We are his equals."
  • American exceptionalism: "We don't hide behind walls. We breach them. We are a blessing to humanity."
  • His time in the Senate: "My service here is the most important job I've had in my life."
  • On presiding over the Senate: "I've sat in that chair, it's as close as I'll ever be to a presidency."