Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who is also a member of the group, echoed McCain, noting that the delay in the bill’s unveiling was in deference to the victims of Monday’s bombing.

Their comments came after McCain, Flake and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., briefed Republican senators on the bill Monday night. Senate Democratic members of the group are expected to brief their colleagues Wednesday.

The GOP response was “generally favorable,” said McCain, who noted that many of his colleagues said they wanted to see the bill before making any decisions. “That’s understandable,” he said.
Flake agreed that the conversation inside the GOP meeting was positive and left him hopeful about the bill’s prospects.