Alaska’s Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan recently broke with his party by voting to reverse cuts to Social Security services made by the Trump administration. The Senate approved a budget plan that includes spending cuts and extending tax credits enacted by Trump. Sullivan’s vote in favor of an amendment to restore funding to the Social Security Administration, which was sponsored by Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, was a rare rebuke of the Trump administration.
Sullivan, who has not publicly criticized Trump in the past, joined Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Maine Sen. Susan Collins as the only Republicans to support the amendment. He also introduced an amendment to strengthen and improve Medicaid for vulnerable populations, which passed despite opposition from Democrats.
However, Sullivan voted against an amendment from Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden aimed at striking language in the budget plan calling for an $880 billion cut to Medicaid funding. Health care providers in Alaska have expressed concerns about the potential impact of such cuts, as around one in three residents rely on Medicaid for coverage.
Sullivan’s actions have drawn both praise and criticism, with some questioning the impact of his Medicaid proposals on vulnerable populations. While he continues to work with members of the Trump administration on certain funding and staffing issues, Sullivan’s recent votes show a willingness to prioritize the needs of Alaskan beneficiaries.
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