Team Trump Reportedly Threatened Alaska’s Energy Sector Over Murkowski’s Health Care Vote
Sen. Murkowski reacts to Trump’s tweet attack: I’m not up for re-election until 2022 …”We’re here to govern” https://t.co/Q1O4JfCgz8
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) July 26, 2017
A report from Alaskan local media suggests President Trump is thinking about punishing the state after Senator Lisa Murkowski declined to join her fellow Republicans in repealing the Affordable Care Act this week.
On Wednesday, Alaska Dispatch News reported that Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke had a phone call with both of the state’s senators. Senator Dan Sullivan called the exchange with Zinke a “troubling message” which came as a reaction to Murkowski’s no-vote on the procedural motion for the Senate’s new push for health care reform.
From the Dispatch:
“I’m not going to go into the details, but I fear that the strong economic growth, pro-energy, pro-mining, pro-jobs and personnel from Alaska who are part of those policies are going to stop,” Sullivan said.
“I tried to push back on behalf of all Alaskans. … We’re facing some difficult times and there’s a lot of enthusiasm for the policies that Secretary Zinke and the president have been talking about with regard to our economy. But the message was pretty clear…”
According to the outlet, the development of King Cove road and the expansion of oil drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska are among several projects which could be impeded by the Trump Administration. Murkowski advocated for the King Cove project in particular for some time, and the Interior Department must authorize it before it begins.
Trump has been attacking Murkowski on several fronts ever since she refused to go along with the health care reform effort. When asked about Trump’s remarks, Murkowski told reporters she wasn’t concerned about her electoral prospects, and that politicians should focus more on governing and representing the American people.
“Every day shouldn’t be about winning elections,” said Murkowski. “How about just doing a little bit of governing around here. That’s what I’m here for.”
Watch above, via MSNBC
[Image via screengrab]
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