Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski on the Trump’s domestic law bill: NPR

Senator Lisa Murkowski, a moderate republican from Alaska, has the reputation of rubbing her party.

She sometimes moved from President Trump on key issues during his first mandate, such as The Push to repeal the Acting Affordable Care Act and the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh judge at the Supreme Court. She detailed some of these moments from her new book, “Far From Home: An Alaska Senator faces the extreme climate of Washington, DC”

“I am the one who, when I see something that must be called, I will call it if it should be,” she told NPR.

Murkowski sat with Well -considered Host Juana Summers to discuss her memoirs, his reflections on Trump’s internal political bill and the future of democracy.

This interview was slightly modified for length and clarity.

Strengths of the interview

Juana Summers: What do you think the American people should understand what is currently [the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act] And why are you not on board at this stage?

Lisa Murkowski: I do not refer to this the major bill. It’s big and I’m not yet sure it’s beautiful.

And there are a lot of things, honestly, that I really like. There are many aspects contained in the bill which, I think, will be important from the point of view of borders, from the point of view of defense and from the point of view of energy.

But that said, where is most of the attention right now? It is on Medicaid, the impact on Medicaid. In Alaska, we are a very high -cost state with regard to health care and, frankly, very limited access to care for many.

Thus, Medicaid is very important for so many people in our state. I want to make sure that We seek to respond to some of the concerns we know how to exist in Medicaid.

We can always do more with regard to surveillance and the areas of reform. But I want to make sure it works for those who need it most.

Summers: And I will ask you questions about a single other legislation, which is the termination package, which would bring $ 9.4 billion which were already appropriate for foreign aid, as well as the public distribution company.

I would simply note that around $ 1 billion in this funding goes to CPB, which sends a large part to local stations that carry PBS and NPR programming. I know that you are within the Senate credit committee which will hold an audience on this package this week.

Murkowski: I am a shameless supporter of public broadcasting in my state which is so rural.

These are the advantages of public broadcasting that allows people not only to get their news, but to communicate with each other, to receive alerts as to storms and what is happening with the tides and landslides and the fishing report.

So for me, I look at this and I say that the threat to the public dissemination company is very real with this termination. And that’s not something I support. Likewise, in some of the global health programs, we have seen the advantage. One of the ways we are able to help in many ways to avoid conflicts is that the humanitarian efforts in which our nation is committed. And therefore the role we will play is important.

As an appropriate, I look at these accounts. These were all authorized and appropriate by the Congress. Now you have an administration that arrives and saying: “We don’t like it. Get rid.”

We have a role of collectors. We can listen to their advice … but Congress has a role here. And I think we have to make sure that everyone remembers that it is ultimately the congress that has the power of the handbag, has the power to determine these credits.

Summers: You have never voted for Trump, but you are a member of a political party that was largely defined by the president, his Maga movement. I wonder, do you feel like there is still a place for moderates within the Republican Party, for people like you?

Murkowski: I think there is still a place in the congress for the moderates. We need more on the republican side. We need more on the democratic side. I think we need people who are ready to try to meet to solve problems, not on a partisan basis, but on the basis of: “Will it be good for a rural state like Alaska and an urban state like Massachusetts?”

Summers: A large question for you. Do you think that the country’s democracy is on an unstable basis?

Murkowski: I mentioned that I have been in the Senate for two decades for a long time. There have been difficult problems that have been seized. There have been conflict questions that can turn to war. There was an internal ditch. I have never been part of more conversations where people asked if democracy was safe at the moment.

I think that part of this is because we see in our own institutions greater politicization, greater politicization in the courts.

But when people stop believing in the integrity of their institutions. This is when I think there is the fear of the fundamental principles of our democracy.

This is not something I would say: “It’s over.” Absolutely, positively not.

The demonstrators carry a large “No Kings” banner through downtown Los Angeles on June 14, 2025. Masses of demonstrators filled streets, parks and places across the United States to protest against President Trump.

David Pashaee / AFP via Getty

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David Pashaee / AFP via Getty

Summers: What is your message to people who currently feel as if they do not have a political home?

Murkowski: Do not assume that someone else will speak for you. Do not be in the earth because you don’t think you are heard.

It is when you stop talking that those of us who are able to listen to begin to think: “Well, maybe your silence means that you think everything is fine.”

And if you don’t think it’s okay. It is your obligation to speak. I have never gone to a demonstration as a demonstrator.

What we saw the previous weekend with steps across the country where people were expressed in some of the smallest villages in Alaska. We had people who were talking and maybe they were talking to their neighbors. But I think it is one of the best parts of whom we are. We are in a country where you have the impression of being able to speak, do it peacefully, do without violence.

I need to send a voice – I hope – positivity. And I think that is where I hoped that people would be after reading my book, that there is a glimmer of hope. There should be a desire to be involved in your community, in your condition, to help others be better.

You should want to do this. In fact, there is an obligation for you to do it at a different level. And you may think that it requires a specific CV or a specific background. This is not the case. It just requires a heart to try to make a difference. You do this and we’re going to go well.