John McCain Diagnosed with Brain Cancer

Senator John McCain was diagnosed Wednesday with brain cancer by the Mayo Clinic putting into question his return to vote on the Obamacare repeal effort.

McCain had undergone a minor procedure last week to remove a blood clot on his brain above his left eye.

“Subsequent tissue pathology revealed that a primary brain tumor known as a glioblastoma was associated with the blood clot,” the Mayo Clinic said in a statement. “Treatment options may include a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.”

“John McCain is a hero to our Conference and a hero to our country. He has never shied away from a fight and I know he will face this challenge with the same extraordinary courage that has characterized his life,” McConnell said in a statement. “The entire Senate family’s prayers are with John, Cindy and his family, his staff, and the people of Arizona he represents so well.”

Fox News host Meghan McCain, John’s eldest daughter, said in a statement that her father appeared to be the most confident about his prognosis.

“It won’t surprise you to learn that in all of this, the one of us who is the most confident and calm is my father,” she said. “He is the toughest person I know.”

The diagnosis puts into context the number 51 thrown about in President Donald Trump‘s lunch meeting with Republican Senators over Obamacare repeal.  McCain would be the 52nd Republican to vote on the repeal or repeal and replacement of Obamacare – with his recent medical issues, the GOP holds only a single vote margin in the Senate.