Politics

Murkowski Claims Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Would Be ‘Devastating’ for Alaska

By Jake Beardslee · June 3, 2025

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is positioning herself as a critical opponent to President Donald Trump’s recent legislative effort, dubbed the “big, beautiful bill,” which faces mounting scrutiny in the Senate. The bill proposes $600 billion in Medicaid cuts—measures Murkowski says would be “devastating” for her state of Alaska, where nearly 40% of children and 24% of adults rely on the program for health coverage.

According to The New York Times, Murkowski is especially opposed to the nationwide work requirements for Medicaid recipients starting in 2026, arguing that such mandates are unrealistic for rural and caregiving-heavy communities like many in Alaska. “In Alaska, it’s just a little bit different,” she said. “If you’re out in a rural area where you don’t have the opportunity for jobs, unless you are to move into the city, or you’re the full-time caregiver for someone in your family… These are considerations that I think need to be taken into account.”

Murkowski, long known for her independent streak within the GOP, has consistently pushed back on policies she views as harmful to her state. At a recent state infrastructure conference, she openly criticized the Trump administration for a range of decisions she said have negatively impacted Alaska, including federal layoffs and grant suspensions. “It’s a challenging time right now,” she remarked. “I could use nice words about it — but I don’t.”

The senator has also opposed key Trump nominees such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and FBI Director Kash Patel. She has repeatedly voted against Trump’s tariffs and has urged her party to reclaim legislative authority, stating it is “time for Congress to reassert itself.” Murkowski has gone as far as to say Trump’s berating of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made her feel “sick to my stomach,” and she called the administration’s move to end deportation protections for Afghan refugees “a historic betrayal.”

Despite her often solitary stance, Murkowski may find more support on the Medicaid issue. Several Republican senators, including some Trump allies, have expressed concerns about the cuts’ effects on their own states. Meanwhile, other lawmakers who support the cuts are demanding changes to reduce the projected deficit—figures denied by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), though he has not provided supporting evidence.