Trying To Strong-Arm Senators Has Historically Not Gone Well
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) bore the brunt of the tactics from the president, his administration and colleagues over her stance on the Republicans' health legislation.
The New York Times:
Lesson For Trump: Hardball Against Senators Is A Game He Can Lose
The recalcitrant senator kept crossing up the inexperienced new president on big-ticket legislation even though they represented the same party. Frustrated and angry, the White House fought back, threatening retaliation both petty and portentous, eyeing federal jobs and programs in the state of the rebellious lawmaker to force obedience. While this may sound like the current situation between President Trump and Senator Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska, over her refusal to back the party line on health care, it was actually 1993. (Hulse, 8/1)
The Associated Press:
Zinke: 'Laughable' To Suggest He Threatened Alaska Senators
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said it is "laughable" to suggest he threatened Alaska's U.S. senators over a vote by one of them involving health care. Zinke said Sunday in Nevada that he often speaks with Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and they get along well. "Ah, you know, the moon has been characterized as other things, too," Zinke said when asked by reporters about the calls and their characterization as threatening. "So, I think it's laughable." (7/31)
