Murkowski Slams Brakes on Megabill

“Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s ability to pass the ‘big, beautiful bill’ is hinging on Sen. Lisa Murkowski,” Politico reports.

“The Alaska senator has been the subject of an intense whip effort by GOP leaders over the past couple of hours as they try to offer her reassurances on Medicaid and food assistance. Thune, Finance Chair Mike Crapo and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso talked to Murkowski on the floor for roughly an hour overnight. Thune and Murkowski huddled briefly in his office, and they were mum on details when they emerged shortly before 4 a.m.”

Wall Street Journal: “If Murkowski can’t be moved and she’s joined by two other GOP opponents, one option for Republicans would be to shrink or eliminate the debt-limit increase in the bill.”