Moderate Republican unamused as Trump flanks himself with women senators
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is skeptical of the Senate GOP health care bill to repeal Obamacare. It’s being drafted in secret by a committee that includes no women. There have been no public hearings. Few senators have apparently even seen any text of the bill. And the media was just banned from conducting interviews in the […]
It’s being drafted in secret by a committee that includes no women. There have been no public hearings. Few senators have apparently even seen any text of the bill. And the media was just banned from conducting interviews in the Senate halls.
Referring to a recent Senate GOP meeting on the bill, Murkowski revealed to her home state paper just how vague and detail-free the process has been:
The meeting Tuesday included “an overview of kind of policy goals, and so in terms of specific details, it was pretty general,” Murkowski said. “One of the goals is reduce cost. Oh! Well, of course we’re all in agreement here. But how do you reduce the costs? That’s where the devil is in the detail there.”
Murkowski further pointed to a “wide divergence of views” among her party on Medicaid expansion, pre-existing conditions, and tax credits and indicated that she didn’t see her party leaders moving the caucus toward consensus legislation.
So when Donald Trump invited 15 Republican senators to the White House to discuss the bill, and she was seated right next to him, her reaction was fitting.
Straight-faced and unamused, Murkowski’s demeanor stood in stark contrast to that of Trump supporter Sen. Joni Ernst, who sat on the other side of Trump, all the while nodding and smiling.
Reporters remarked about Murkowski’s telling demeanor on Twitter:
Murkowski sits still, leaning away with a stern look, even as Trump cracks a campaign joke. pic.twitter.com/Gz04khwJVr
— David Mack (@davidmackau) June 13, 2017
Joni Ernst looks happy to be sitting next to Trump; Lisa Murkowski looks terrified. Never smiled once.
— Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) June 13, 2017
@lisamurkowski doesn't look particularly amused by #PresidentLoco's rantings, right now. I like Lisa Murkowski.
— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) June 13, 2017
The disastrous Republican health care bill should make every member of the U.S. Senate uncomfortable. Murkowski just showed that she is certainly among them.
Recommended
Biden campaign launches new ad focused on Affordable Care Act
Former President Trump has said he wants to do away with the popular health care law.
By Kim Lyons, Pennsylvania Capital-Star - May 08, 2024Trump leaves door open to banning medication abortion nationwide
Donald Trump is planning to release more details in the weeks ahead about how his administration would regulate access to medication abortion, according to comments he made during a lengthy interview with Time magazine published Tuesday.
By Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom - April 30, 2024Biden on abortion rights: President expects to give speech Tuesday on new Florida 6-week ban
‘Having the president of the United States speaking out loud and with confidence about abortion access is a great thing’
By Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix - April 22, 2024