Here’s whats going on within the GOP.
Senate Republicans are intensifying efforts to secure the support of Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) for President Trump’s new tax relief package — a plan central to revitalizing the economy and securing American families’ financial future.
With the GOP holding only a narrow margin, every vote counts. Conservative heavyweights like Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) have voiced strong concerns about elements of the legislation, making Murkowski and Collins critical to getting it across the finish line.
President Trump has personally engaged with key senators, particularly Johnson and Paul, both of whom have taken firm stances against any proposal that would raise the national debt — especially a $4 trillion debt ceiling hike, which Paul has firmly rejected.
Johnson’s opposition is shaping up to be even more challenging. In a closed-door White House meeting, sources described a tense exchange between Trump and Johnson during a Senate Finance Committee session. Though there’s still hope Johnson may support the bill, his pushback has rattled GOP leadership.
With Paul and Johnson in doubt, attention has shifted to Murkowski and Collins — both known for occasionally bucking the party line during Trump’s first term.
“We have a very slim path to get this done,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.). “It’s about finding common ground and making sure each senator’s priorities are reflected in the final bill.”
Thune has taken the lead in working with Murkowski and Collins, holding private meetings to address their concerns. Murkowski has flagged potential problems with Medicaid work requirements, citing technical challenges Alaska faces in modernizing its outdated systems. She also opposes the removal of renewable energy tax credits, which she believes could hurt her state’s development.
Both senators are watching how the bill affects their constituents. For Murkowski, that includes Alaska Native communities. For Collins, the focus is on rural Mainers and hospitals that rely heavily on Medicaid funding.
Collins previously opposed the budget resolution tied to this bill over concerns about cuts to Medicaid recipients. She is expected to methodically review the legislation with agency heads before making a final decision.
Murkowski remains cautiously open-minded. While she hasn’t spoken directly with President Trump yet, she is in regular contact with administration officials, including CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. The two are set to discuss Alaska-specific concerns in the coming days.
“If it works for Alaska, it works for me,” Murkowski said when asked whether she needs a direct call from Trump. “That’s what earns my vote.”
Meanwhile, some GOP insiders believe Murkowski may be easier to win over than Collins, who faces reelection next year in a Democrat-leaning state. Political dynamics could make her path more complicated.
Murkowski supported the 2017 Trump tax cuts after securing a major win for Alaska — opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for energy development. Now, her vote may once again hinge on whether this tax package delivers results for her state.
As committee work continues and final bill language emerges, Republicans are racing the clock. With President Trump committed to delivering tax relief to hardworking Americans, the battle in the Senate is heating up — and every vote could shape the future of the American economy.