Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, a key swing vote in the Senate’s razor-thin approval of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill, is now calling on the House to reject the legislation she helped pass—at least in its current form.
The bill, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” by Trump, passed the Senate by a narrow 50-51 margin late Tuesday, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote after three Republicans sided with Democrats. Murkowski’s support proved pivotal, but she says the bill isn’t ready to become law.
“My hope is that the House will look at this and recognize we’re not there yet,” Murkowski told reporters shortly after the vote, describing her decision as “agonizing.”
A Reluctant Yes
Throughout a chaotic all-night session, Murkowski was seen pacing the Capitol halls alone, visibly conflicted. She had not committed to a yes vote until just hours before the final count—despite intense pressure from GOP colleagues and party leadership.
In the end, she voted yes after securing major concessions for Alaska, including Medicaid exemptions, food aid protections, and tax benefits for the state’s fishing and whaling industries. Alaska is mentioned 19 times in the nearly 900-page bill, while California appears three times, and New York not at all.
Still, the longtime senator—known for her centrist positions and willingness to break with her party—was not at peace with the overall legislation.
“This was probably the most difficult and agonizing legislative 24-hour period I’ve ever experienced,” she said. “And you all know—I’ve got a few battle scars.”
“Not Good Enough for the Nation”
Murkowski emphasized that her support was contingent on improving the bill for Alaskans, but she remained deeply concerned about nationwide cuts to Medicaid and the rushed nature of the legislative process.
“Let’s not kid ourselves. This has been an awful process—a frantic rush to meet an artificial deadline,” she wrote on social media after the vote.
“While we’ve worked to improve this bill for Alaska, it’s not good enough for the rest of the country—and we all know it.”
She added that the legislation needs further revisions across both chambers and expressed hope the House will return it to the Senate for more work, instead of fast-tracking it to the president’s desk.
GOP Scrambles for Support
Senate Republicans leaned heavily on Murkowski to get the bill over the finish line. Her hesitation created suspense in the Capitol, as she resisted questions from reporters and kept her decision private until the final moments. Her influence ultimately helped shape last-minute provisions, including a $50 billion rural hospital fund designed to offset the impacts of Medicaid cuts in under-served areas like Alaska.
Despite her yes vote, Murkowski now stands among the bill’s most vocal critics, making clear that she believes the legislation—while improved—is far from finished.
“We need to work together to get this right,” she concluded.
The House is expected to take up the bill later this week, where its fate—and Murkowski’s plea—will be closely watched.
