President Donald Trump spoke about Sen. John McCain's temporary absence from Washington by saying he's a "crusty voice" in the nation's capital.
Doctors removed a blood clot from McCain's brain on Friday and he's currently recovering in his home state of Arizona. Trump said Republicans need the 80-year-old lawmaker back in Washington to help them pass healthcare legislation.
"But for our nation to really prosper, we must lower the tax on business — one of the highest in the world — and we must repeal job-killing Obamacare. We have to do that," Trump said during a White House event touting products that are made in the United States.
"And I can tell you, we hope John McCain gets better very soon because we miss him. He's a crusty voice in Washington. Plus, we need his vote.
"And he'll be back. And he will be back sooner than somebody else would be back. He'll be back soon."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said over the weekend the chamber will hold off on a healthcare vote until McCain returns to work.