Lisa Murkowski

The Alaska senator was among a few Republicans on the Appropriations Committee who objected to clawing back money for foreign aid and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Republicans can only afford to lose the votes of three GOP senators. Murkowski doesn’t like major elements of it. But how she’ll ultimately vote is unknown, even to the senator herself.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski called the program a “lifesaver” for residents in Alaska when questioning Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about its future.

The Trump administration has directed the U.S. Department of the Interior to remove protections for millions of acres as part of an effort to maximize resource development in Alaska.

It’s a repeat of her endorsement two years ago, but nationally it’s unusual for a Republican senator to endorse a Democrat for office. Murkowski’s colleague, Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, endorsed Republican candidate Nick Begich III instead of Peltola.

Four decades ago, in the days before the internet and automatic voter registration, Alaska Natives turned out to vote at high levels. That participation has eroded badly, a situation that should be reversed, said Michelle Sparck, director of an Alaska nonpartisan organization called Get Out The Native Vote.

It's the joint nature of the exercises off Alaska that are unusual, the U.S. senator said. In response, the U.S. Army sent soldiers to Shemya.