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NEW: GOP Senator Scorched For Voting Against Trump Nominee

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2 months ago

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Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is facing backlash from conservative leaders and pro-Trump groups after casting the only Republican vote against President Donald Trump’s nominee Hung Cao for Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy.

The procedural vote, which would have advanced Cao’s nomination to a full Senate vote, received broad Republican support—except from Murkowski, whose vote immediately drew attention for breaking ranks with her party.

Hung Cao is a decorated Vietnamese-American former Navy Captain who has become a rising figure in Republican circles. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Cao served honorably in multiple leadership roles before transitioning into the political arena. In February, President Trump tapped him for the Under Secretary role, a key civilian leadership position in the Department of the Navy.

Cao’s nomination was taken up by the Senate Armed Services Committee on June 26 and favorably reported out on July 9. It currently awaits a final vote on the Senate Executive Calendar. Veterans groups like Veterans for America First have championed Cao’s nomination, citing his military experience and strong support among service members and defense advocates.

As of now, the senator’s office has not issued a formal statement explaining her decision, but political observers speculate that personal tensions with the Trump wing of the GOP may have played a role.

Despite Murkowski’s opposition, Cao’s nomination still has a strong chance of confirmation, pending a final vote on the Senate floor. A simple majority is required, and with broad Republican support and a few potential Democratic crossovers, his path remains viable.

If confirmed, Hung Cao would oversee Navy manpower, personnel, reserve affairs, and related civilian leadership functions—crucial responsibilities at a time of global instability and growing naval threats. With Murkowski once again finding herself at odds with the base of her own party, the vote against Hung Cao is sure to resurface in future political campaigns—both hers and others.

Sen. Murkowski has long been known as one of the most independent voices in the Republican Party, often breaking with her party on high-profile issues. Her record reflects a willingness to prioritize state interests and personal principles over party loyalty, a stance that has made her both influential and controversial.

One of the earliest and most notable examples came in 2017, when she voted against the Republican plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Murkowski argued that the rushed process and the lack of protections for vulnerable populations were unacceptable, a move that placed her at odds with GOP leadership. That same year, she also voted against advancing the so-called “skinny repeal,” forcing Vice President Mike Pence to cast a tie-breaking vote.

A year later, during the contentious confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, Murkowski was the only Republican senator to oppose him, citing concerns over fairness and credibility after the sexual assault hearings. In 2021, she again broke ranks in one of the most consequential votes of her career, joining six other Republicans in voting to convict Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial. She also supported the creation of a bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6 breach of the Capitol.

More recently, this year, Murkowski opposed a Trump administration-backed rescissions bill that sought to cut funding for foreign aid and broadcasting programs, siding with Democrats in a 51–48 vote. While she ultimately supported Trump’s sweeping tax and spending package, it came only after tough negotiations secured carve-outs for Alaska.

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