Uncertainty over Murkowski’s vote as GOP seeks budget bill support
TL/DR –
The US Senate is attempting to garner enough Republican votes for a bill containing tax cuts and other priorities of President Trump, with Senator Lisa Murkowski being one of several Republican holdouts. Special concessions for Alaska were added to try to win Murkowski’s support, but at least two of them were determined not to comply with Senate rules for this bill and may need to be modified or dropped. Murkowski has co-sponsored an amendment to slow the phaseout of tax credits for wind and solar projects, while Trump is pushing to eliminate the clean energy incentives included in President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
The U.S. Senate in Negotiations Over Megabill
On Monday, the U.S. Senate is engaged in voting on amendments and negotiations for the tax cuts megabill aligned with President Trump’s agendas. The votes of several Republican holdouts including Sen. Lisa Murkowski are of significant consequence.
Alaska’s Special Carveouts Under Scrutiny
In an attempt to gain Sen. Murkowski’s support, Republican leaders introduced special carveouts for Alaska. However, the Senate parliamentarian declared that two of these—increased Medicaid and Medicare payments in Alaska and Hawaii—do not follow Senate rules for this bill. This could necessitate modifications or removal from the bill.
Complications Arise in Passing Megabill
This ruling is an additional complication for Republicans struggling to pass the 900-page bill. To gain Murkowski’s support, Senate leaders included items such as a tax deduction increase for whaling captains, tax benefits for Bering Sea and Aleutians’ community development fishing organizations, and a provision potentially relieving Alaska’s SNAP costs.
Sponsored Amendments and Renewable Projects
Many Senate-considered amendments are proposed by Democrats and have limited chances of passing. However, Murkowski along with Iowa’s Republican senators co-sponsors an amendment to slow down the phaseout of tax credits for wind and solar projects. In contrast, Trump is pushing to eliminate clean energy incentives from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
Potential for Final Vote and Event Disruption
A final Senate vote could occur as soon as Monday night, with the bill then returning to the House. It remains possible that both chambers pass the bill by President Trump’s July 4 deadline. These proceedings have disrupted lawmakers’ plans, including Murkowski’s book launch event, which has been cancelled.
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