Sen. John McCain on Wednesday saluted the "brave and selfless patriots serving around the world" on Independence Day, saying the holiday is possible because they "shoulder our burdens every day to secure the freedom we celebrate."
McCain, 81, the Arizona Republican who is battling brain cancer, took to Twitter:
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee chaired by McCain, tweeted from Iraq, where he is visiting U.S. soldiers:
In a video tweet, President Donald Trump noted the 242nd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, though he focused on the nation's military and veterans.
"Our freedom has been earned through the blood and sweat and sacrifice of American heroes," Trump said. "And these are great American heroes."
House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement "the Fourth of July is about the very idea of America.
"We forget this sometimes," the Wisconsin Republican said. "America wasn't founded on a government, or a political system.
"All of that came much later.
"It began with this beautiful idea, that our rights come from God," Ryan continued. "It began with this idea of a society based on these natural rights, on liberty, freedom, free enterprise, self-determination.
"It is our duty to preserve this idea," he said.
Other Republicans also marked July 4th on Twitter:
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