WASHINGTON – If only looks could kill.
Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski stared down a reporter in a tense exchange that quickly went viral on social media, after she had voted in favor of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and domestic policy bill on July 1.
Murkowski was crucial to getting the legislation across the finish line in the Senate, as Senate Majority Leader John Thune could only afford to lose three votes. After pressure from Republican leadership, Murkowski ultimately voted yes on the bill, despite her concerns about Medicaid reform and cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Ryan Nobles, an NBC News correspondent, had asked Murkowski what she thought of Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul’s criticism that Murkowski’s vote was “a bailout for Alaska at the expense of the rest of the country.”
Murkowski then said, “Oh my god,” before looking at Nobles, who remarked, “That’s what Senator Paul said.”
Murkowski stared Nobles down for more than 10 seconds before saying, “My response is I have an obligation to the people of the state of Alaska, and I live up to that every single day.”
She noted that she didn’t like the bill. But, she said, “I tried to take care of Alaska’s interests.”
Murkowsi had noted in a tweet after the vote that the bill included many advantages for Alaskans, including a larger child tax credit, investment in the Coast Guard, and enhancing border security.
However, she said she hopes the bill is not the final product and that both chambers work on it more “to get this right.”
The bill is now in the House, where lawmakers must go over the changes from the Senate and give it a final stamp of approval before it heads to the president’s desk. Trump and GOP leaders have a self-imposed deadline of July 4 for Congress to pass the bill.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski stares down reporter in viral exchange
