2 weeks after cancer treatment, Sen. McCain heads to Italy for forum
Sep 1, 2017, 10:15 AM | Updated: Mar 1, 2018, 3:52 pm
(AP Photo)
PHOENIX — With one round of cancer treatment behind him, Arizona Sen. John McCain was headed to Italy to work this weekend.
McCain, who turned 81 on Tuesday, was scheduled to speak at an international forum in Cernobbio, northern Italy, along with Sen. Lindsey Graham and National Intelligence Director Dan Coats.
The six-term senator had been in Phoenix since late July undergoing radiation and chemotherapy to attack an aggressive form of brain cancer. The tumor was discovered during an examination of a blood clot over his eye.
He finished the initial treatment Aug. 18.
McCain’s office said he will thank the government and people for Italy’s contribution to global security, including in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo during a panel appearance Saturday.
It will be his second overseas trip of the summer. He spent the Fourth of July weekend visiting troops in Afghanistan.
The Navy pilot veteran chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee and is a strong proponent of national defense.
He will make his return to the nation’s capitol next week, but McCain has been on the job during treatment.
He hosted a Facebook Live town hall in early August and released his own plan on U.S. strategy in Afghanistan the same week when he felt the White House had been nonresponsive for too long.
He also spoke at a cybersecurity conference at Arizona State University, visited the Arizona Cardinals training camp in Glendale, stayed active on social media, hiked with his daughter, Meghan McCain, and enjoyed a family reunion.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.