Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska made a critical call on Tuesday, casting a vote for President Donald Trump’s massive tax-and-spending bill.
For much of the all‑night session, Senate Minority Whip John Thune was uncertain whether he could secure Murkowski’s support. The Alaska senator spent hours in public and private discussions, pressing colleagues to soften provisions she said would burden her state’s most vulnerable residents.
Murkowski at the end provided the 50th Republican “yea”, paving the way for Vice‑President JD Vance to break the tie and pass the measure 51‑50.
Three Republicans—Susan Collins of Maine, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky—joined all Democrats in opposing the bill.
“I advocated for my state’s interests, and I will make no excuses for doing that,” Murkowski told reporters just after the vote. “Do I like this bill? No. But I tried to take care of Alaska’s interests.”
Her support was unsure after the Senate parliamentarian struck down two attempts to boost Medicaid payments for Alaska and Hawaii, ruling they violated reconciliation rules. A further bid to increase Alaska’s Medicaid funding was also rejected early Tuesday, dealing another blow to Thune’s efforts.
“I held my head up and made sure that the people of Alaska are not forgotten in this,” Murkowski said. “I think there is more that needs to be done, and I’m not done. I am going to take a nap, though.”
Murkowski urged leaders to send the bill to a conference committee rather than have the House accept the Senate text unchanged. Even so, the House has begun preparing for a floor vote.
The legislation will now be sent to the House for a final vote, and if approved, it will be sent to Trump for signing into law.
For much of the all‑night session, Senate Minority Whip John Thune was uncertain whether he could secure Murkowski’s support. The Alaska senator spent hours in public and private discussions, pressing colleagues to soften provisions she said would burden her state’s most vulnerable residents.
Murkowski at the end provided the 50th Republican “yea”, paving the way for Vice‑President JD Vance to break the tie and pass the measure 51‑50.
Three Republicans—Susan Collins of Maine, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky—joined all Democrats in opposing the bill.
“I advocated for my state’s interests, and I will make no excuses for doing that,” Murkowski told reporters just after the vote. “Do I like this bill? No. But I tried to take care of Alaska’s interests.”
This was one of the hardest votes I have taken during my time in the Senate.
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) July 1, 2025
My goal throughout the reconciliation process has been to make a bad bill better for Alaska, and in many ways, we have done that. In addition to extending pro-growth tax cuts, a larger child tax…
Her support was unsure after the Senate parliamentarian struck down two attempts to boost Medicaid payments for Alaska and Hawaii, ruling they violated reconciliation rules. A further bid to increase Alaska’s Medicaid funding was also rejected early Tuesday, dealing another blow to Thune’s efforts.
“I held my head up and made sure that the people of Alaska are not forgotten in this,” Murkowski said. “I think there is more that needs to be done, and I’m not done. I am going to take a nap, though.”
Murkowski urged leaders to send the bill to a conference committee rather than have the House accept the Senate text unchanged. Even so, the House has begun preparing for a floor vote.
The legislation will now be sent to the House for a final vote, and if approved, it will be sent to Trump for signing into law.
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