Senator Lisa Murkowski Weighs Party Switch as Alaska Provisions Stripped from GOP Budget Bill

June 29, 2025 – Washington, D.C. – Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is facing a pivotal moment in her political career amid mounting speculation that she may leave the Republican Party or declare herself an independent, following a high-stakes Senate battle over a sweeping GOP budget bill.

Murkowski, a key moderate and long-serving advocate for Alaska’s interests, was instrumental in advancing the Republican-led domestic policy package during a tense procedural vote late Saturday. Her support was secured only after GOP leaders added a series of Alaska-focused provisions to the bill, including a $25 billion boost for rural hospitals, waivers from new SNAP work requirements, and tax exemptions for Alaskan whaling captains and fishers. These measures aimed to shield Alaska from some of the bill’s deepest Medicaid and nutrition assistance cuts—issues Murkowski had publicly condemned as disproportionately harming her state’s most vulnerable residents.

However, the Senate Parliamentarian delivered a major setback Sunday, ruling that the last-minute Alaska and Hawaii Medicaid carve-outs violated the chamber’s budget reconciliation rules and would have to be removed from the bill. This development has thrown Murkowski’s continued support for the legislation into doubt, as the Alaska-specific provisions were widely seen as critical to securing her vote.

Internal party tensions have intensified as Murkowski reportedly held closed-door talks with GOP leadership, including Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo and Vice President JD Vance, over the fate of Alaska’s interests in the bill. Conservative critics have renewed calls for her removal from key committee assignments, citing her history of breaking with the party on high-profile votes, particularly those involving former President Donald Trump.

The stakes are heightened by the current razor-thin Senate majority. If Democrats gain three seats in the upcoming elections, the chamber would be split 50-50, making Murkowski’s potential decision to caucus with Democrats decisive for Senate control. While her office has not commented on her final position regarding the budget bill or her party affiliation, Murkowski has signaled a willingness to consider a shift if Alaska’s needs continue to be sidelined.

As the Senate prepares for final votes and possible amendments in the coming days, Murkowski’s next move is being closely watched in Washington and Alaska alike, with the future of the budget bill—and possibly the Senate majority—hanging in the balance.