Report: Trump Admin Threatens Alaska Over Health-Care Vote

President Trump and his administration reportedly threatened economic retaliation against the state of Alaska in the wake of Sen. Lisa Murkowski's no vote on Tuesday’s health-care motion. Trump voiced his displeasure on Twitter on Wednesday: “Senator @lisamurkowski of the Great State of Alaska really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad!” Others in the state received phone calls from Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke that day, telling them the state’s future was “in jeopardy,” according to Alaska Dispatch News. Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan said he found the call from Zinke “troubling.” He added, “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.” At a private White House lunch, Murkowski reportedly defended her vote by saying: “With all due respect, Mr. President, I didn’t come here to represent the Republican Party. I am representing my constituents and the state of Alaska.”