When John McCain cast the decisive vote against Obamacare repeal two months ago, Chuck Schumer waved an arm to quiet fellow Democrats as they burst into audible elation. 
 
 Don’t gloat or cheer over the GOP’s failure, Schumer signaled — a move he made again on Friday in a statement, after McCain delivered what looks like a fatal blow to his party’s seven-year drive to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. 
 
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 Far from celebrating, Democrats tempered their responses to McCain with reminders of the bipartisan health care talks that Republicans had walked away from when they took one last shot at repealing Obamacare. And even as their liberal base turned a rally to pressure McCain into a thank-you celebration, Democrats stopped far short of declaring repeal dead. 
 
 “John McCain shows the same courage in Congress that he showed when he was a naval aviator,” the Senate minority leader said in his statement about the Arizona Republican’s opposition to repeal. “I have assured Senator McCain that as soon as repeal is off the table, we Democrats are intent on resuming the bipartisan process.” 
 
 A senior Senate Democratic aide summed up the next step: "Now we extend the olive branch to bipartisanship." 
 
 The latest Obamacare repeal gambit, shepherded this time by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.), caught many Democratic lawmakers and liberal activists off-guard. They reminded one another publicly and privately on Friday that, McCain's opposition aside, only the Sept. 30 expiration of Republicans' ability to push through repeal with 50 votes can give Obamacare supporters room to breathe easy. 
 
 "This bill is not dead yet," Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) tweeted. "You can relax on October 1. They never let up, and neither can we." 
 
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 Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's office did not immediately respond to questions about whether he will still hold the vote on the bill, which would turn Obamacare funding into block grants for the states, make deep cuts to Medicaid and undermine protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Proponents say it would provide needed flexibility to governors to administer health care. 
 
 One Democratic aide advised the party to maintain a dual mission: "Democrats need to stay vocal about the dangers of this bill and keep pushing for bipartisan solutions." 
 
 Liberal groups that had hustled their grass-roots cavalry back to Democrats' side are staying vocal, despite some lingering frustration over Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) cutting a short-term fiscal deal with President Donald Trump. 
 
 Anti-repeal activists are pressing ahead with their plans for dozens of rallies this weekend, with the Progressive Change Campaign Committee maintaining a five-figure ad campaign it rolled out Friday that targets GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Dean Heller of Nevada, Susan Collins of Maine, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Jeff Flake of Arizona. 
 
 "Until we have three rock-solid nos that are public, we shouldn’t assume that everything is completely off the table next week," MoveOn.org Washington director Ben Wikler said in an interview. 
 
 In a move sure to please Democrats, McCain's lengthy statement on his opposition to the Graham-Cassidy bill also included an encouragement of the bipartisan talks led by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) to shore up insurance markets, which GOP leadership had all but quashed earlier this week. 
 
 “I fear that the prospect of one last attempt at a strictly Republican bill has left the impression that their efforts cannot succeed,” McCain said of Alexander and Murray. “I hope they will resume their work should this last attempt at a partisan solution fail.” 
 
 Murray quickly released a statement describing herself as "still at the table ready to keep working," adding, "I remain confident that we can reach a bipartisan agreement as soon as this latest partisan approach by Republican leaders is finally set aside.” 
 
 Minutes after McCain's announcement, Pelosi blasted out an email to her colleagues, urging them to move ahead with plans to hold events in opposition to the bill this weekend despite the likelihood that repeal cannot move forward. 
 
 "This weekend, we will continue to highlight the devastating costs Republicans are trying to inflict on hard-working Americans,” Pelosi said. “Together, we will finally put the stake in the heart of this monstrous bill.” 
 
 Pelosi will also hold a conference call with health care advocates and progressive allies on Saturday and talk health care on NBC’s "Meet the Press" on Sunday. 
 
 Before McCain upended the latest Republican repeal drive, several Democratic aides had privately echoed some liberal activists' complaints that Schumer and Pelosi's debt-limit deal backfired — clearing the September calendar and giving Republicans more time to turn their focus to health care. But Pelosi brushed aside the insinuation when asked by reporters, saying the two issues “aren’t even related.” 
 
 Other Democrats had fretted about the timing of Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders’ splashy single-payer health care rollout, which Republicans quickly seized on as a talking point to rally their troops behind repeal. Democrats publicly dismissed that claim but say privately they don’t want to antagonize Republicans until the Sept. 30 deadline is past. 
 
 Part of Democrats' guarded tone on Friday is rooted in lessons learned from previous exultation earlier this year, when they thought the GOP had been thwarted, only to see another repeal push roar to life. 
 
 Pelosi’s tone, while more aggressive than Schumer's, is a far cry from those previous celebrations. 
 
 "I call upon Speaker [Paul] Ryan to now initiate a bipartisan effort in the House to improve and update the Affordable Care Act," she said. ||||| (CNN) Sen. John McCain announced Friday in a statement that he cannot "in good conscience" vote for the GOP's latest plan to overhaul Obamacare, likely ending Republicans' latest effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. 
 
 "I cannot in good conscience vote for the Graham-Cassidy proposal," the Arizona Republican said in a statement. "I believe we could do better working together, Republicans and Democrats, and have not yet really tried. Nor could I support it without knowing how much it will cost, how it will (affect) insurance premiums, and how many people will be helped or hurt by it. Without a full CBO score, which won't be available by the end of the month, we won't have reliable answers to any of those questions." 
 
 McCain's "no" vote means it is likely Republicans won't be able to repeal and replace Obamacare before September 30, as Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said he would not back Graham-Cassidy and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine has said she is leaning "no" on the proposal. But there are still questions as to where Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski is at the moment. It's also unclear if senators on the fence would support a procedural motion on the bill even if they decide they are against Graham-Cassidy in the end. 
 
 Republicans need at least 50 votes to pass the measure under the process of reconciliation. 
 
 Murkowski, Paul and Collins also under scrutiny 
 
 McCain was one of three most-watched members on the fence and considered a key vote on the bill. Without his support, Republicans would need to get Murkowski as well as Collins to sign on. It's unlikely considering the fact that Collins said Friday afternoon that she was leaning against the bill and had key concerns that the legislation did not do enough to protect individuals with pre-existing conditions. 
 
 "I'm leaning against the bill," Collins said Friday at a Portland, Maine, event, according to The Portland Press Herald. 
 
 A Republican aide involved in the process said Friday afternoon that GOP leaders are at the "evaluating options" stage right now. 
 
 The aide added, "I'm not breaking news telling you this isn't good." 
 
 Paul, the only other Republican other than McCain who has so far definitively come out against Graham-Cassidy, is "unlikely" to change his mind even if changes are made to the bill, his spokesman Sergio Gor told CNN. 
 
 Graham and McCain's close friendship 
 
 McCain's announcement comes despite that one of the bill's key sponsors -- Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina -- is a close confidant. The thinking was if anyone could convince McCain to vote "yes," it would be Graham. 
 
 "I take no pleasure in announcing my opposition. Far from it," McCain said. "The bill's authors are my dear friends, and I think the world of them. I know they are acting consistently with their beliefs and sense of what is best for the country. So am I." 
 
 McCain has said for weeks that he would not support health care legislation that had not gone through "regular order," meaning Senate hearings, an amendment process and a rigorous floor debate. 
 
 Graham said he "respectfully" disagrees with McCain and will "press on" with his legislation. 
 
 "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," Graham said in a statement and on Twitter, adding later, "I feel an obligation to fix this disaster and intend to push forward for state-centric health care versus Washington-knows-best health care." 
 
 My friendship with @SenJohnMcCain is not based on how he votes but respect for how he's lived his life and the person he is. — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 22, 2017 
 
 McCain voted "no" on the last health care proposal in July for the same reason. McCain's dramatic floor vote, which happened just weeks after he was diagnosed with brain cancer, came in the early morning and was captured as one of his most "maverick" moments in the Senate. 
 
 What the White House is thinking 
 
 A senior White House official told CNN that McCain's opposition "undeniably hurts" the effort to repeal and replace Obamacare but that President Donald Trump is not ready to give up on the effort yet. 
 
 "The President has been engaged all along, and I think you will continue to see him reach out," the official said. "We have been having conversations with Graham and Cassidy for a couple months and ... even though there may be members who want to give up, the President does not." 
 
 Top White House aides have been talking with Graham and Sen. Bill Cassidy for months now, and in between events at the United Nations this week, Trump called senators to talk about the upcoming health care vote, White House officials said. Trump was hoping to solidify Republicans around the deal struck by the two senators and urged many of the lawmakers to stay loyal to him. 
 
 The White House official, though, added that even though chances of passing health care look bleak, the White House intends to juggle between Graham-Cassidy and tax reform next week. 
 
 Vice President Mike Pence indirectly addressed the decision during a speech Friday afternoon in Anderson, Indiana. 
 
 "The vote could come as early as next week and this is not going to be easy. Even now, the opposition is forming up and some have gone so far to announce their opposition already. But President Trump and I are undeterred," Pence said. 
 
 "We cannot in good conscious abandon this cause," Pence said to applause in his home state. 
 
 Democrats praise McCain 
 
 Just moments after McCain announced his opposition, Democrats seized on the opportunity to bring back bipartisan talks that had stalled last week. 
 
 Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington and Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee had held bipartisan hearings over the last month on how to stabilize Obamacare marketplaces and were making progress in their negotiations. But the House leadership made it clear last week that the chamber probably would not be able to pass such a bill. 
 
 As soon as McCain announced his opposition, Murray announced she was still open to reigniting those talks. 
 
 "I agree with Senator McCain that the right way to get things done in the Senate — especially on an issue as important to families as their health care — is through regular order and working together to find common ground," Murray said. "I'm still at the table ready to keep working, and I remain confident that we can reach a bipartisan agreement as soon as this latest partisan approach by Republican leaders is finally set aside." 
 
 Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also praised McCain shortly after his announcement. 
 
 "John McCain shows the same courage in Congress that he showed when he was a naval aviator," the New York Democrat said in a statement. "I have assured Senator McCain that as soon as repeal is off the table, we Democrats are intent on resuming the bipartisan process." 
 
 For her part, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said her members would continue working "to put the stake in the heart of this monstrous bill." 
 
 "This weekend, we will continue to highlight the devastating costs Republicans are trying to inflict on hard-working Americans," she said in a letter to colleagues. 
 
 This story has been updated and will update with additional developments. ||||| Congressional Republicans are facing the prospect of failing this week — perhaps for a final time — in their bid to repeal ObamaCare. 
 
 Senate Republicans have yet to throw in the towel, but it seems more than likely their nine-month odyssey will be unsuccessful, with Sens. John McCain John Sidney McCainFive Takeaways from West Virginia's Senate debate Trump's Russia ambassador Jon Huntsman reveals cancer diagnosis Scarborough rips Graham for saying he’ll introduce legislation to end birthright citizenship: He’s ‘degrading’ himself for Trump MORE (R-Ariz.) and Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulOvernight Defense: Trump says 15,000 troops could deploy to border | Mattis insists deployment is not 'stunt' | Pompeo calls for Yemen peace talks in November GOP senators press Trump to halt nuclear energy talks with Saudi Arabia Tester fights for survival at home MORE (R-Ky.) opposed to the measure and Sen. Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsFlake: Trump 'can't' and 'shouldn't' nix birthright citizenship Judiciary's GOP chairman says ending birthright citizenship would require rewriting Constitution Avoid temptation to seek partisan advantage from pipe bomb arrest MORE (R-Maine) leaning strongly against it. 
 
 Republicans can lose just two votes and still muscle the bill through the Senate in the face of unanimous Democratic opposition. 
 
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 They also face a Sept. 30 deadline. After this week, they will lose the ability to use special budgetary rules on ObamaCare repeal that prevent a Democratic filibuster. 
 
 GOP Sens. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamThe birthright citizenship debate explained GOP Senate candidates dodge on Trump's plan to end birthright citizenship Kobach: 'Misimpression' that 14th Amendment guarantees birthright citizenship MORE (S.C.) and Bill Cassidy William (Bill) Morgan CassidyDyslexia is more common than society realizes. Here’s what we can do to help children struggling in the shadows. Congress must protect eye care patients from frightful prescriptions Trump signs bills banning drug pricing 'gag clauses' MORE (La.), aiming to keep their bill alive, made last-minute changes to the legislation over the weekend, including directing more funding toward states of holdout senators. 
 
 Collins told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday that she had “a number of serious reservations” about Cassidy and Graham's bill, which would end ObamaCare’s expansion of Medicaid and repeal much of the law, replacing it with block grant funding for states. 
 
 Her comments did nothing to assuage GOP fears that there is little chance of winning her vote. 
 
 Separately, Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzO'Rourke rakes in thousands of dollars from Hollywood celebrities Former ICE chief: Trump's additional troops to border will do ‘absolutely nothing’ Poll: Cruz leads O'Rourke by 3 points in Texas Senate race MORE (R-Texas) said that as the bill now stood, he would be a no vote, as would fellow conservative Sen. Mike Lee Michael (Mike) Shumway LeeMyPillow CEO to attend White House opioid discussion Congress raises pressure on Saudi Arabia Senators pledge action on Saudi journalist’s disappearance MORE (R-Utah). Cruz said the duo wants changes made that they believe would lower premium costs. 
 
 While some believed Cruz and Lee can be won over, it’s harder to see Republicans convincing Paul, Collins and McCain to reverse course. And a fourth GOP senator, Lisa Murkowski Lisa Ann MurkowskiPoll: Palin unpopular in Alaska following jab at Murkowski Conservatives bankrolled and dominated Kavanaugh confirmation media campaign Ex-Florida lawmaker leaves Republican Party MORE of Alaska, voted against the “skinny” repeal bill earlier this summer and may also be a no vote. 
 
 It’s a surprise position for the GOP, which had high hopes about repealing ObamaCare after President Trump won the White House, leaving Republicans in control of both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. 
 
 Nearly a year later, the consensus among Republican lawmakers, aides and strategists is that the job of dismantling ObamaCare turned out to be a lot tougher than they ever expected. 
 
 “I think they confused sloganeering with planning and they fell more in love with the slogan than actual governing,” said John Weaver, a Republican strategist. 
 
 “We never repealed an entitlement program in this country. Why they thought this would be something simple, easy or even appropriate is beyond me,” he added. 
 
 Paul and Collins both expressed irritations over the GOP’s effort in their separate Sunday show appearances. 
 
 “When we’re dealing with a sixth of our economy and millions of people, you can’t do sound health insurance policy this way,” Collins said Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” 
 
 “You need to have extensive hearings. The Democrats must come to the table,” said Collins, echoing complaints McCain made when he issued a statement on Friday afternoon opposing the bill. 
 
 Republicans face a difficult balancing act in trying to win over McCain, Murkowski and Collins as they also face complaints from the right. 
 
 Paul warned Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that if Republicans vote for a replacement plan that keeps core elements of ObamaCare in place, “the Republican name will be on health care and this isn’t going to work.” 
 
 “You’re going to end up having Republicans absorb the blame for a terrible health-care system,” he said. 
 
 Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellFive Takeaways from West Virginia's Senate debate Top GOP super PAC no longer airing TV ads in West Virginia Senate race: report Synagogue shooting suspect pleads not guilty MORE (R-Ky.) has come under enormous pressure to make progress on ObamaCare repeal from Trump, who was furious when McCain voted no on a slimmed-down version of repeal in July. 
 
 Trump and McConnell also have plenty of stake this week in Alabama, where Sen. Luther Strange Luther Johnson StrangeTrump: 'I could pick a woman,' and she could be accused of misconduct Ann Coulter believes Kushner wrote anonymous op-ed bashing Trump Mulvaney: Trump regularly asks why Roy Moore lost MORE (R) is facing a tough primary challenge from conservative Roy Moore, a former state Supreme Court chief justice. Moore has been ahead in polls despite Trump and McConnell’s backing of Strange. Voters go to the polls for the primary runoff on Tuesday. 
 
 A Strange defeat coupled with another loss on ObamaCare threatens to sink the Trump-McConnell relationship to a new low — which just adds to the pressure of the week. 
 
 As Republicans near what might be a decisive defeat on health care, some in the GOP argue their party made a mistake in tackling the decisive issue as the first order of business instead of tax cuts, which is more of a GOP specialty and more popular politically. 
 
 “We should have started with taxes,” said one Senate GOP aide. “It’s not easy for Republicans to coalesce around health care. We know how to cut taxes.” 
 
 No matter what happens this week on health care, tax reform is the next item on the Trump-GOP agenda. 
 
 But the effort will go forward on a whimper if the party suffers yet another disappointment on health care this week.
– John McCain's opposition to the latest GOP effort to repeal ObamaCare didn't quite kill the legislation's chances, though it came pretty close. Still, Democrats are taking pains not to declare victory in public or do anything that smacks of gloating, reports Politico. As Democratic Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted, "This bill is not dead yet. You can relax on October 1. They never let up, and neither can we." (After that date, Democrats will be able to easily kill any repeal effort with a filibuster.) McCain joins Rand Paul as a definite no, meaning Mitch McConnell can't afford one more defection even as Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska both were leaning in that direction. So what next? McConnell isn't saying yet whether he will proceed with a vote on the bill from Bill Cassidy and Lindsey Graham regardless, reports the Washington Post. If the repeal effort does indeed fail this month, Democrats want to resurrect bipartisan talks aimed at improving ObamaCare, rather than dismantling it. But given the vast differences in ideas on the left and right about what is necessary, the Hill doesn't see much hope for an "era of bipartisanship" on health care. On Friday night, President Trump called McCain's decision "horrible" but suggested that Republicans continue with the vote. “The most we’ll be is one or two votes short,” he said, per the New York Times. "You can’t quit when you have one or two votes short. You can’t do it." Meanwhile, co-author Graham didn't sound too peeved at McCain. "My friendship with @SenJohnMcCain is not based on how he votes but respect for how he’s lived his life and the person he is," he tweeted.