Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski glares at at an NBC News reporter on July 1, 2025. (NBC News / X)
Senate Majority Leader John Thune may have secured Murkowski's vote earlier if not for the Senate parliamentarian, who struck down several deal sweeteners aimed at Alaska. The Senate passed Trump's bill under the reconciliation process, which requires only a simple majority. The parliamentarian holds the authority to determine whether certain line items fall outside the scope of budget reconciliation, therefore requiring a 60-vote majority.
SENATE PASSES TRUMP'S 'BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL' AFTER MARATHON VOTE-A-RAMA
Some of the sweeteners did make it through, however, including allowing a temporary delay on cost hikes for food assistance programs in both Hawaii and Alaska. Murkowski also secured the removal of a planned tax on solar and wind energy projects.
House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a daunting task in convincing Republicans to pass Trump's spending agenda, which many conservative members have criticized. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., File)
House Speaker Mike Johnson led Republicans in passing a procedural "rule" vote to tee up the legislation overnight on Wednesday. The speaker can only afford to lose three Republican votes and still pass the bill. Two have already confirmed their opposition to passing the Senate version of the bill: Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Rep. Ralh Norman, R-S.C.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
House members will begin the debate process at roughly 9:00 a.m.
Democrat Alex Padilla represents California in the United States Senate.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/murkowski-got-yes-3-3t-megabill-thanks-spending-alaska