Senate Republicans are working to rally support behind their ambitious tax cut plan, particularly trying to secure votes from Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), as they potentially face losses from conservative colleagues.
President Trump has been focusing on engaging with Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), and Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), voicing concerns about the emerging package.
There are apprehensions among some Republicans that Johnson and Paul may prove challenging when it comes to supporting the law, which adds urgency to the need for GOP to gain Murkowski and Collins’ votes—counts that won’t allow more than three dissenters.
“The margins have been tightened,” a Senate Republican remarked to Hill regarding their situation.
Paul has long been a likely no-vote on the final bill, particularly opposing a $4 trillion increase in the debt ceiling, labeling it a non-negotiable point for him.
Yet, Johnson poses a more significant concern for party leadership.
At a recent Senate Finance Committee meeting at the White House, Johnson reportedly had an extended dialogue with Trump. Two sources noted that the interaction was viewed as “controversial.”
There remains hope among Republicans that Johnson might still back the bill; however, his remarks have left GOP leaders feeling increasingly anxious.
This underlines the necessity for Murkowski and Collins to stay engaged, as both remember Trump’s impactful first term on various legislative issues.
“It’s a delicate balancing act,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune commented to Hill. “Clearly, we have individuals with different priorities spanning a wide political spectrum.”
“We hear from everyone, understand what matters to them, and see if we can accommodate those concerns within the bill,” Thune added. “But it’s a process.”
Thune is taking on significant responsibility in communication with Murkowski and Collins, with several Senate GOP sources indicating he has held numerous one-on-one and small group discussions.
Both senators have specific amendments they wish to see integrated into the bill.
Murkowski has voiced concerns regarding proposed work requirements for Medicaid. She fears these could pose challenges due to the program’s outdated payment system and the potential implications for the renewable energy tax credit included in the bill.
The duo has also expressed worries about how the overall cuts might impact critical sectors in their states, particularly concerning Murkowski’s indigenous tribes and Collins’ healthcare institutions.
Maine Republicans have raised issues concerning possible reductions to Medicaid beneficiaries when they voted on the budget blueprint back in early April.
The momentum for this initiative is expected to grow in the coming days as the relevant committee prepares to unveil parts of the bill.
“We’re still piecing things together on our end… Everyone is pulling in various directions,” Murkowski explained to reporters recently, highlighting the need to address both energy and Coast Guard regulations alongside Medicaid.
Murkowski also noted she hasn’t had any recent contact from Trump, unlike some conservatives, although she is in discussions with figures from previous administrations, including Mehmet Oz from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. They plan to delve deeper into her concerns shortly.
Collins is expected to collaborate with various agency managers to facilitate what her colleagues have described as a methodical process.
“Susan is incredibly diligent, very detail-oriented with extensive knowledge. There are numerous distinct issues in Maine compared to other states, and that’s widely acknowledged,” remarked Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), a GOP leader.
Some speculate political contexts may affect Murkowski’s chances of securing support, with Collins facing re-election next year in a state that favored former Vice President Harris.
The backing of either senator for the bill may hinge significantly on how the package influences their respective states.
Murkowski did endorse the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a key priority during his time in the Senate, which allowed for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
When questioned about Trump’s pressure on her during the negotiations, Murkowski stated, “If it benefits Alaska, it gets my vote; if not, there’s no need for pressure.”
