As Senate Republicans advance their sweeping domestic policy package, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski has emerged in her usual role of hostage-taker, leveraging her position to carve out significant concessions for Alaska.
Among the most consequential are a series of exemptions and grants tied to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), aimed at shielding low-income Alaskans from proposed federal cuts to the food program. SNAP benefits are also known as food stamps, a government subsidy program that allows lower-income Americans free access to food on a sliding scale.
The initial draft of the bill called for states to shoulder a bigger share of SNAP funding, which could have cost Alaska billions in federal assistance.
Under the revised language, Alaska is exempt from those cost-sharing provisions, preserving the state’s current level of federal SNAP support.
The exemption was considered critical by Murkowski, who warned her fellow Republicans that the cost-sharing mandate would devastate a state already struggling with food insecurity, rural isolation, and some of the highest grocery prices in the nation.
Congressman Chip Roy of Texas noted that 60% of Alaska SNAP payments are overpayments. “So instead of fixing the problem and paying their fair share, the Alaska Senators are demanding the taxpayers from other states give them a special grant.”
The bill’s expansion of work requirements for SNAP recipients, raising the age threshold to 64 and including parents of school-age children, will not apply to Alaska.
This carve-out follows weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations, during which Murkowski and fellow Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan lobbied Senate leadership for state-specific exemptions.
To offset any residual fiscal pressure from the SNAP overhaul, Senate GOP leaders introduced new Alaska-targeted SNAP grants.
These grants, which were not included in earlier drafts, are designed to bolster food security infrastructure and delivery in remote communities.
The grants reportedly materialized after sustained pressure from Alaska’s delegation, who emphasized the state’s unique logistical and demographic challenges in providing food aid.
The bill also includes a 25% increase in federal Medicaid matching funds for Alaska, far above what most states receive, along with tax relief for commercial fishers in Western Alaska, tax breaks for whaling captains, and higher Medicare reimbursement rates for select rural healthcare providers.
Murkowski’s role in shaping the final text has drawn both praise and skepticism, as she routinely engages in holding out for concessions from a narrowly divided Senate, where Republicans need her vote.
Murkowski has not formally endorsed the final bill. In a statement, she said she is continuing to review the legislative text and all associated impacts, and has not committed to a yes vote, despite the favorable revisions.
Me thinks the “Princess” has prejudice against the changes as they affect a population that currently is taking advantage.ie: “Able to but not,”
working. Assume her intent is again, the “Bush” population.
“Under the new plan, more people are also required to prove they are working, pursuing an education or are in a training program to qualify for food assistance. Currently, able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 54 have to meet these work requirements to get food stamps for more than three months. Under the bill, those requirements would extend up to age 64.
USDA spokesperson previously told Nexstar. Homeless people, veterans, or youth ages 18 to 24 who aged out of foster care are all exempt from these requirements. People who cannot work due to a physical or mental limitation, are pregnant, or have a child 18 or younger living in their home are also exempt.
Cheers
Heineken.
Her Heinous.
They should be honest and name the bill what it is, the Big Beautiful Abortion.
Murk plays the hostage game with the US Senate. She needs the Bush and Native vote to win her state under the RCV system. Handouts to her Democrat voters is the only way for her to secure the votes she needs, because smart conservative voters and real Republicans know she has no spine in which to take a decisive position. Her daddy, who gave her the job knew this and probably hoped she would last just long enough in the Senate to come out with some kind of pension and then retire early. Certainly, she wouldn’t be able to practice law, with her skimpy legal education. The Democrats have played her perfectly and only use her for convenience until they can brand one of their own. Alaska is in a terrible position with her and everyone knows it.
I lived in AK over 50 yrs … let’s just keep trying to throw more money at the issues ( SNAP, Medicaid , schools ) Never live with in our means or be accountable for ourselves – that would be asking too much ! I’ve done business in Soldotna & Kodiak – live in Anchorage but at 75 am getting tired of Senator M beating the same old drum year after year … Senator Sullivan & Begich continue to keep up the good work – and Gov. Dunlevy 👍…. Guess I should mention Mayor LaFrance for finally addressing the encampments in the east part of town – invade Senator M was unaware of that issue – continue to enjoy DC !
BS pass the bill as it is! No special groups
SNAP and Medicaid very much hurt Alaska! Wages here are no longer high enough to attract people with a strong work ethic. Too many of our workers expect to work only 37.5 hours, and have a huge number of paid holidays PLUS 6 weeks of vacation, because far too many of our workers are employed by state and municipal government. Those who don’t even want to work for government can and do obtain multi-layered taxpayer support. Remember that throughout 2023 and 2024 the federal government, both federal courts and the Biden administration, castigated Alaska state government for not keeping up with new SNAP enrollments even as Alaska Department of Labor economists repeatedly said that there were two vacant jobs for every potential job applicant. The later stat was continually cited by Giessel and Kopp as they tried to create a huge new public employee retirement plan.
SNAP robs Alaskans of independence and self-respect. Government wants everyone to be entirely dependent upon government. That is power, and too many of the people who choose to work for government do so because they want power. The best we can do is alert the congressional delegations from other states that our delegation, Murkowski in particular, are gaming them.
So much for weaning Alaska off the federal monies and grants. They just can’t do it. Meanwhile other states have to suck it up. No wonder deficits just keep accumulating. Maybe if left alone Alaska would fully develop its own economy and the private sector would grow to fill in some of these gaps. But that would be unpopular. It’s really aggravating to watch.
Lisa is aggravating to watch in general. Welfare leach herself trying to buy votes with handouts. She is the bottom of the pit.