U.S. Sens. Dan Sullivan, and Lisa Murkowski, both R-Alaska, voted to pass the spending bill in Congress.
Sullivan is praising President Donald Trump’s domestic policy and tax bill, saying it would allow for economic growth and resource development in Alaska and not cut Medicaid benefits.
“This energy package is a huge victory for Alaska’s jobs and economy, and for America’s energy future,” Sullivan said in a statement.
As part of his rationale, Sullivan said the nearly 1,000-page megabill – if passed in the House – would deliver tax relief for families and small businesses, make the largest investment in the U.S. Coast Guard in history, secure the southern border and the flow of fentanyl, strengthen Alaska’s health care and nutrition programs, and much more.
Murkowski said she wasn’t as sold on the bill’s benefits, but she voted in favor of it anyway. She said in a statement posted on Facebook that “this was one of the hardest votes I have taken during my time in the Senate,” and that her goal was “to make a bad bill better for Alaska.”
Murkowski said that to address the bill’s shortcomings they added a $50 billion rural health fund, as well as other provisions that she says will benefit Alaska.
“This will mean hundreds of millions of dollars for Alaska hospitals, community health centers, and other providers,” she said.
While praising some changes in the food stamp and Medicaid wording of the bill, Murkowski added that the bill needs more work and is not ready for the president’s
signature.
