Posted on 10/08/2013 1:22:53 PM PDT by cotton1706
Infuriated over the delay of death benefits to fallen American soldiers due to the government shutdown, Sen. John McCain railed against the “false premise” that some Republicans have proliferated: that it is possible to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
“To somehow think that we were going to repeal Obamacare, which would have required 67 Republican votes [in the Senate] was a false premise, and I think we did the American people a great disservice by convincing them somehow we could,” McCain said. "We started out with a false premise on this side of the aisle."
In the Senate, 67 Republican votes would be required to overturn a presidential veto, a likely occurrence while Democrats control the White House. Republicans only control 46 seats in the Senate.
McCain then went on to passionately criticize Congress for not being able to negotiate a compromise, despite the government shutdown that is now in its eighth day.
“Shouldn’t we be embarrassed about this? Shouldn’t we be ashamed?” McCain asked. “What do the American people think when they see that death benefits for those who served and sacrificed in the most honorable way… are not even eligible for death benefits?”
The Arizona Republican spoke to a nearly-full chamber, because Senate Democrats made the rare move of calling all senators to the floor.
The Arizona Republican pointed to two cases of the government shutdown: charities delivering food to people who are trapped in the Grand Canyon, and the delay of military death benefits for the families of fallen soldiers.
“I frankly, get a little bit emotional,” he said. “The list goes on and on, of people, of innocent Americans who have fallen victim to the reality that we can’t sit down and talk like grownups.”
Suggesting negotiations over the medical device tax and removing special health care benefits to Congress, McCain said, "there's a number of issues that we could down and negotiate within an hour if we will stop attacking each other and impugning people's integrity."
"Let's start this afternoon. I don't care who it is or how it's shaped. But let's sit down and get out of this so that these families whose loved ones just died will receive the benefits at least that would give them some comfort and solace in this terrible hour of tragedy," he added.
Arizona...recall this moron!
He could never forgive George Bush for beating him. He gives Obama a pass on that.
Shouldn’t McCain be in an Old Soldiers’ Home someplace?
isn’t there ANYTHING Arizona can do about this blithering old fool?
does Arizona have any laws providing for the pick-up and evaluation of mental incompetents, perhaps?
This is the same McCain the GOP nominated and supported for President. They also nominated Romney. Bomb the world, export our economy and oppose Obamacare about sums up the GOP. Cruz/Paul may be different but I’ll wait until they introduces some legislation successfully.
The totality of McCain’s military career shows a man who should not be in control of anything that involves other human beings anywhere ever. He only had a military career because his father was a highly influential admiral.
Shut up Juan.
FUJMcC!
Suggesting negotiations over the medical device tax and removing special health care benefits to Congress, McCain said, "there's a number of issues that we could down and negotiate within an hour if we will stop attacking each other and impugning people's integrity."
I’m thinking that McLame voted for Obozo in 2008.
Post of the day!
Not a word about satan’s boy. mccain... I despise the very air that you breathe.
“old soldiers never die; they just fade away.”
McCain, not quick enough!
Yeah well we are going to “run” mcconnell into retirement and that is a fact. After today... he is so defeated.
Does McCain even know what a premise is?
Recall McCain... PLEASE!
and acting contrary to his promises, he has (again) dishonored himself. You’d think he’d grow tired of doing so.
Im thinking the majority of McCain’s campaign staff voted for Obama in 2008
McCain has no principles at all. He is completely gutless and spineless, a coward and a collaborator. And he always has been.
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