Alaska senators split on federal budget package

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – Alaska’s Republican U.S. senators split on their votes for a sweeping budget package Friday, with Sen. Lisa Murkowski voting in favor and Sen. Dan Sullivan voting against it.

Sullivan said the vote was difficult for him. He said in a news release that the legislation contained provisions that benefit some Alaskans, small business owners and the energy sector.

But he said he could not “in good conscience’’ vote for it without having had a chance to understand its implications or offer amendments. He said the package was negotiated

behind closed doors and presented as a tak...