Senate dynamics in the next Trump administration will spotlight Murkowski’s willingness to go against the party.
The scene outside the elevators near the Senate Chamber is like a barometer of tension in D.C. politics. When President-elect Donald Trump writes a norm-busting social media post or names a controversial cabinet nominee, reporters flock to this marble corridor and wait for senators to arrive.
So it’s a question a minute for her these days. Does she think Trump can deploy the military to aid with deportations? Is she willing to have the Senate step aside so Trump can make recess appointments? “I think it’s an incredibly interesting spot. I mean, she’s used to this, right? At this point,” said Charlie Hunt, an assistant professor of political science at Boise State University.“Where there’s new members, where there’s new dynamics, new leaders — that’s kind of an exciting time for me, sort of like my Super Bowl,” he said.
That was a rare moment. Usually, a majority leader won’t bring a bill to the floor unless he’s got the votes, which takes some behind-the-scenes work. So that’s the power a moderate like Murkowski can wield in a closely divided Senate. But the Senate Republican majority won’t be so razor-thin next year. Murkowski and Collins would need two other Republican aisle-crossers to swing a vote. Hunt’s parlor game is guessing who those senators might be. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia? She has been moderate on some issues. So has Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma.
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