Lisa Murkowski Defends Alaska Carveouts As Elizabeth…

Lisa Murkowski Defends Alaska Carveouts As Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders And Rand Paul Condemn Trump's 'Big Beautiful' Bill: 'Not Good Enough For The Rest Of Our Nation'

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On Tuesday, Senate Republicans' narrow passage of President Donald Trump's massive tax-and-spending package is drawing sharp reactions from both sides of the aisle.

What Happened: Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) took to X, formerly Twitter, and said the bill was "one of the hardest votes I have taken," citing key wins for Alaska, including Coast Guard investment. Still, she warned, "It is not good enough for the rest of our nation—and we all know it."

This was one of the hardest votes I have taken during my time in the Senate.

My goal throughout the reconciliation process has been to make a bad bill better for Alaska, and in many ways, we have done that. In addition to extending pro-growth tax cuts, a larger child tax…
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) July 1, 2025

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) also took to X and said, "This fight isn’t over. Donald Trump's ‘Big Beautiful Bill' is headed to the House, and we have the power to stop it."

This fight isn't over.

Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" is headed to the House, and we have the power to stop it. pic.twitter.com/Rf0kfti7YZ
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 1, 2025

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who has previously slammed the bill for helping the rich and harming working families, offered an amendment to expand Medicare by cutting drug prices, but Republicans blocked it.

Many seniors can't afford dental care, hearing aids or glasses.

I'm proud that all Democrats supported my amendment last night to expand Medicare to cover dental, hearing and vision paid for by cutting prescription drug costs for Medicare in half.

No Republicans voted for it. pic.twitter.com/5TpaxPDDmn
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) July 2, 2025

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) also took to social media and said he offered to support the bill if it included a 90% debt ceiling reduction. "Congress chose to sell out taxpayers instead," he wrote. "Only once the bill is released will we know what the true price was."

Throughout the Vote-a-rama, I was working all night to stop Congress from adding to our debt.

I met with @VP and I reiterated my offer to vote for the bill—if it included a 90% reduction in the debt ceiling.

No earmarks. No handouts. Just real fiscal reform.

I wasn't looking…
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) July 1, 2025

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) praised the bill for having the largest-ever investment in border security. "The One Big Beautiful Bill we just passed in the Senate will deliver the largest investment ever in border security and make this possible."

President Trump and Senate Republicans promised to secure the border.

The One Big Beautiful Bill we just passed in the Senate will deliver the largest investment ever in border security and make this possible.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) July 1, 2025

Why It's Important: The Senate passed the legislation in a 51-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie. The bill, dubbed the "Big Beautiful Bill" by Trump, includes sweeping tax cuts, record border security funding and controversial changes to welfare programs. It could add $3.3 trillion to the national debt.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives, where Republicans have a slim majority, so the final vote is expected to be very close. Trump wants to sign this bill into law by July 4th.

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