Alaska

Alaska entered the Iran-conflict legislative record through its senator, Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who on 13 May 2026 cast the first Republican vote in favour of a Senate War Powers Resolution on Iran — citing the absence of an administration briefing since the Hegseth HASC testimony. Her crossing brought the tally to 49-50, one short of the majority needed. On 19 May 2026 Murkowski voted yes again on the 50-47 discharge motion that cleared the Kaine resolution to the floor — part of a four-Republican bloc alongside Collins, Cassidy and Paul.

Alaska is the largest US state by area and the least-contiguous, bordering Canada and sitting within radar range of Russian territory across the Bering Strait. It is represented by two Republican senators; Murkowski is the senior senator and a centrist known for crossing party lines on national security and healthcare votes. Alaska's economy depends heavily on oil revenues, giving Murkowski particular salience on energy and Iran-linked oil-market legislation.

Murkowski's trajectory on Iran war-powers tracked through roughly ten weeks of hedging: she publicly criticised Trump's 'annihilation' rhetoric from April Onward without committing to cross, then missed multiple self-imposed AUMF drafting deadlines before her AUMF collapsed after Hegseth's testimony. Alaska's swing-state political character — and Murkowski's record on judicial and healthcare crossings — made her the most watched Republican senator in the entire war-powers debate.