U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski during an April 2024 hearing. The Alaska Republican voted in favor of a spending bill that includes major elements of President Donald J. Trump's agenda after extracting several provisions to benefit her state.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski was crystal clear: She would not be bought off by goodies for Alaska to win passage of massive federal legislation that was likely do damage to the rest of the nation.

“Let’s just say that they do something that’s so Alaska-specific just to, quote, 'get me,'” she told reporters, describing what some were describing as a “Polar Payoff.” “Then you have a nationwide system that doesn’t work. That then comes crashing down, and Alaska’s not able to kind of keep it together on its own.”

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

It was a courageous and bold stand … that she made in 2017,........

© Times Union