Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that a bipartisan group of senators will agree on a way to permanently honor the late John McCain in the U.S. Capitol.
McCain, R-Ariz., a longtime senator and chairman of the Armed Services Committee, died of brain cancer Saturday. He’ll lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda on Friday.
“I’m glad we’ll be able to form this gang to ensure that a suitable, lasting tribute becomes a reality,” McConnell said during a floor speech Tuesday.
McConnell said some senators recommend hanging a portrait of McCain in the Capitol’s Senate Reception room, located off the chamber. The portraits of only seven senators hang in the ornate room, including Henry Clay and Daniel Webster.
“I’ve also heard in recent days that perhaps Sen. McCain’s portrait should join that distinguished group,” McConnell said. “So it’s a further tribute to our colleague that there’s no shortage of good ideas.”
The last portraits added to the reception room were those of former Sens. Arthur Vandenberg, R-Mich., and and Robert Wagner, D-N.Y., in 2000.
[Also read: Schumer to introduce resolution to rename Senate building after John McCain]
