Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski had a simple reason for casting one of the two "nay" votes on debating the chamber's healthcare bill: "I voted no on the motion to proceed today because I didn't think that we were ready for the debate," the senator told the Alaska Dispatch News on Tuesday.
The two dissenting votes from Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine forced Vice President Mike Pence to cast the tie-breaking vote that allowed debate to proceed, only to have the legislation get voted down in a big way.
Regardless, Murkowski drew the ire of President Donald Trump on Wednesday, who tweeted she let down Republicans and the entire country.
"I have said pretty consistently that process really does matter, particularly when you're dealing with something that is as direct and personal as healthcare," Murkowski told the Alaska Dispatch News. "And so my vote today was one that said, 'We're not ready to go to the floor to wrap this up.'
"I base my votes on what I believe is in Alaska's best interest," Murkowski told the Alaska Dispatch News. "So I know that there are those who wish that I would be more in line with following the party platform, but I don't think it should come as any surprise that there have been occasions that I have not followed the lead of the party.
"So I appreciate the frustration, and I don't want people to think that because I didn't vote to proceed to debate today, that I think that the status quo is acceptable."
Murkowski said she was emboldened by Sen. John McCain, who flew in for the vote despite recent brain surgery to remove a tumor.
"He did tell me, though … 'You did the right thing,' which made me feel good," Murkowski told Alaska Dispatch News.
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