Confused and frail GOP senator returns to work but can't find the Senate chamber and has to be told by aides how to vote

  • Sen. Thad Cochran returned to the Capitol as the Senate prepared to take up a budget resolution 
  • He appeared disoriented during questioning by reporters
  • At one point he wandered around a corner on the first floor of the Senate and had to be guided to the Second floor where the Senate chamber is
  • He repeatedly signaled a 'thumbs up' on an amendment when party leaders had wanted a 'no' vote
  • President Trump partly blamed the defeat of a health bill on Cochran saying he was in the hospital when he was not 
  • President Trump tweeted that he doesn't know if they have enough support to push it through: 'Who knows?' 

By GEOFF EARLE, US DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR

Published: | Updated:

Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran returned to the Capitol this week where GOP leaders need his vote to push through large tax cuts – but the 79-year old lawmaker appeared frail appeared to have confusion when voting.

Cochran delayed his return beyond a congressional recess as he recovers from a urinary infection. His vote is considered vital if the GOP is to pass a budget resolution allowing to jam through 'massive' tax cuts on a a simple-majority vote.

Back in the Capitol Wednesday in advance of a major budget vote, he was unable to answer a question by Politico about whether he would remain chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee.

'As chairman of the Appropriations Committee?' Cochran responded. He also didn't respond to a question about whether he would retire. 'Don't believe everything you hear,' he said.

Senator Thad Cochran, a Republican from Mississippi and chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, pictured in July, returned to the Capitol this week but appeared disoriented at times

Senator Thad Cochran, a Republican from Mississippi and chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, pictured in July, returned to the Capitol this week but appeared disoriented at times

When amendment came up for a vote, Cochran voted for it even after an aide instructed him to vote 'no,' according to the publication. Cochran kept signaling with a 'thumbs up' before he realized he was voting contrary to leadership and changed his vote to 'no.' 

He also didn't respond directly to a question of whether leadership had brought him back for the budget vote, saying only it was 'a beautiful day outside.' 

At one point he wandered around a corner on the first floor of the Senate and had to be guided by an aide to the Second floor where the Senate chamber is, according to the publication.

Senate Republicans got a big boost Tuesday when Arizona Sen. John McCain – who has been blasting misplaced 'nationalism' and who brought down an Obamacare repeal –said he would vote for the 2018 budget resolution.

Donald Trump signaled Thursday that he's not sure whether Senate Republicans will be able to pass the resolution when the upper chamber of Congress convenes for a freewheeling 'vote-a-rama' session.

Cochran did not respond directly when asked whether the leadership urged him back to vote for the budget

Cochran did not respond directly when asked whether the leadership urged him back to vote for the budget

'Republicans are going for the big Budget approval today, first step toward massive tax cuts. I think we have the votes, but who knows?' the president tweeted.

Thursday's unusually unrestrained legislative exercise is a periodic bit of organized chaos in which more amendments will be allowed than usual – and the GOP needs to prevail in order to move forward on tax reform.

With a budget approved, Senate leaders would be able to use an arcane procedure called 'reconciliation' to force a tax bill through on a simple majority vote.

Without it, any tax package would need an impossible 60 votes to proceed.

Republicans are also buoyed by the return of Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran from a long illness

Republicans are also buoyed by the return of Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran from a long illness

'I'm not hospitalized,' Sen. Thad Cochran wrote on Twitter after Trump repeatedly said a senator was in the hospital

'I'm not hospitalized,' Sen. Thad Cochran wrote on Twitter after Trump repeatedly said a senator was in the hospital

Even 50 has been a tough number for Senate Republicans to crack: They were unable to unify this year on a proposal to repeal and replace the Obamacare law.

This week they hope the return of Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran from a long illness and Tuesday's surprising thumbs-up from Arizona Sen. John McCain will help grease the skids.

Trump referenced Cochran's health last month when he referenced him and blamed the situation for the inability to bring up an Obamacare repeal.  

'We have the votes for health care. We have one senator who's in the hospital. He can't vote because he's in the hospital,' Trump said.  'I can't take him out of the hospital.'

Republican Arizona Senator John McCain has clashed with Trump and brought up his Vietnam War deferments

Republican Arizona Senator John McCain said Tuesday that he will back a Republican budget push

In fact, Cochran's office said he was not in the hospital, but was at home recovering from an illness. 

Cochran was forced to respond on Twitter. 'Thanks for the well-wishes. I'm not hospitalized, but am recuperating at home in Mississippi and look forward to returning to work soon.' 

Cochran barely survived a primary challenge from state Sen. Chris McDaniel, and got a boost from the national party. 

 

 

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