Murkowski defended her vote, pointing to provisions to extend 2017 tax cuts and develop resources in Alaska, while expressing concerns around cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska convinced Senate leaders to change their massive tax and spending cuts package to benefit her state and eventually voted for the legislation, ensuring its pass

Alaskan Senator Lisa Murkowski cast a pivotal vote in the Senate's passage of the president's sweeping tax cuts and spending reductions bill on Tuesday