By Kaitlan Collins (Brooke Lynch)
This past Wednesday, October 19 Senator Lisa Murkowski went public on her concerns about the Republican Party. Murkowski stated, “I thought Republicans were getting caught up in power and different other things that we weren't doing the number one purpose of a United States Senator and that's to protect and serve and represent the American people, to protect American freedoms.”
Murkowski expanded on her concerns, explaining how she believed Republicans were abusing their power instead of working towards bipartisanship. Murkowski told The Washington Watch she addressed these concerns during the Republican’s party meeting on Wednesday.
While Senator Murkowski expressed that these concerns were not directed at just one senator, her concerns were likely elevated due to some senators' recent actions, such as Ben Sasse’s during Monday committees. Senator Sasse reportedly tried to stall the Judiciary Committee’s proceeding during their October 17th meeting, with Senator Klobuchar going as far as threatening to kick the senator out of the committee if he kept interrupting their proceedings.
Murkowski assured The Washington Watch that she’s “confident in the direction of the Republican Party” as they try to “move more towards the bipartisanship that the Americans are looking for.”
Since receiving Murkowski’s comments, The Washington Watch can report that there has been an uptick in bipartisanship from both parties. During Friday’s floor session, Senators voted on two bipartisan bills, the “Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Against Russia Act” and the “LOBSTER Act.” President Pro Tempore Angus King’s “LOBSTER Act” passed with an unanimous vote. The “Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Against Russia Act” was also passed with the support of both parties, with only Senator Rand Paul voting against the bill, referring to it as “reckless spending.”
Monday committee hearings also appeared to occur with more bipartisanship. In the Judiciary Committee, Republicans offered many amendments and Democrats voted in favor of one of Senator Cornyn’s amendments. Senator Collins’s “Veterans Telehealth Expansion and Accessibility Act” passed unanimously in the Foreign and Military Affairs Committee. One amendment to Senator Peters's “American Industrial and Manufacturing Act” was passed unanimously and another amendment was passed through a voice vote.
Senator Sasse also announced his resignation from the role of Minority Whip this Tuesday, October 25. After having multiple problems with the Democratic Party and its senators, a new Minority Whip may be just what the Republican Party needs to aid in this new era of bipartisanship for the Senate.
This recent boost in bipartisanship among both parties has been a refreshing change for the United States Senate. Many senators continue to reassure the Senate, press, and American population that they are committed to working with the other party. Let’s hope that they continue to stick to their words.
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