United States Senator, John McCain, has died at his home in Cornville, Arizona, on Saturday, four days prior to his 82nd birthday. McCain has been battling with brain cancer since his diagnosis in July 2017.
As confirmed by the US Senator's office in Arizona, the war hero passed away with his wife Cindy and family on his side.
According to Politico, the two-time contender for the US presidency will lie in state in the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix on his birthday, August 29. A service will follow at the North Phoenix Baptist Church on August 30. After that, his remains will be transported to Washington to lie in state at the United States Capitol on August 31.
McCain, who had spent more than five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, will then be laid to rest at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery, beside his Naval Academy classmate Naval Officer Charles R. Larson.
Sen. John McCain's illustrious congressional career spanned six presidencies, that is for more than 30 years, as a standard bearer of the Republican Party, a report from NBC said.
A battle-hardened individual, McCain pushed for the passing of finance reform advocating for the American soldiers who are still missing from the Vietnam War.
McCain's six terms as a senator included his two failed bids for the presidency - first in 2000 where he lost to then Texas Governor George W. Bush, and second in 2008 where he and running mate Sarah Palin lost to Barack Obama.
His government service also included chairmanship of the US Armed Services, the Indian Affairs, as well as the Commerce committees.
Who Will Replace McCain in Capitol Hill
According to CNN, Arizona's Republican governor, Doug Ducey, must soon decide on a successor who will replace the deceased representative in the Senate.
The Arizona law gives Ducey the option to defer the replacement order until a special election will be held in 2020.
The GOP governor's recent statement, however, implied that he may already have a successor lined up but the issue still has to be put on hold until McCain is buried later this month.
During a press release, Ducey said that what the nation has to focus on right now is "remembering and honoring a consequential life well lived."
Regardless of who Ducey has in mind, the replacement should belong to the same political party as McCain's Republican Party.
Ducey also clarified that he will not appoint himself to the vacated seat.
