Blog 2.6: Lobbying & Tax Reform

1. What problem did General Electric have with the version of the tax reform bill passed by the House of Reps?

One part of the bill could cost the company over $1 billion in new taxes. It would restrict GE and other firms to deduct their oversea losses. 

2. How is the Senate version different than the House version of this tax reform bill regarding the provision GE was worried about?

The Senate's version of the bill preserved the company's ability to use the losses when calculating its tax liability. 

3. How do foreign-owned airlines and Delta want the tax bill to be different?

They are fighting to jettison a provision in the Senate bill that would require foreign airlines to pay taxes on income earned on U.S. flights.  

5. What will happen to the bill after it is debated and voted on in the Senate?

 The bill will be debated on the Senate floor. Republican leaders hope to merge competing bills and send it to the White House for Trump's signature.

6. What problem do real estate company lobbyists have with the House version of this tax bill?

Trade groups strongly criticize elements of the plan that will make home-buying less attractive and weaken the housing market.

7. Who does the Build Coalition represent?

Corporate interests (specifically from the telecommunications, manufacturing, and agriculture industries).

8. How will the tax rate on corporations be changed under the House version of the bill?

The plan would slash the corporate tax rate by 15% and create a new 25% tax rate for "pass-through" businesses. 

9. What does the Not One Penny interest group advocate for?

It's making sure the tax overhaul is not a boon for the rich. Their main concern is that the tax plan delivers massive tax cuts to millionaires and corporations. 

10. What interest group tactic have MoveOn, Tax March, and the Working Families Party been using to advocate against this reform?

The groups have spent over $1 million advertising in congressional districts across the country to urge lawmakers from both parties to oppose tax cuts for the rich. 

Blog 2.5

1. Which two senators does the article single out as being potential obstacles to the passing of the tax bill & where are they from?

Lisa Murkowski from Alaska and Susan Collins from Maine. 

2. What indications has Murkowski made about how she may vote on this tax bill?

She would consider voting for the bill if the Senate also passed a bipartisan Obamacare stabilization bill. She wrote an op-ed declaring that she supported the repeal of the individual mandate.

3. What did Republicans add to the bill that would specifically encourage Murkowski to vote for the bill?

They added a provision that would allow oil drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Natural Refuge. 

4. Why would Murkowski be more likely to support the bill if it adds this provision?

As a Senator from Alaska, the drilling of oil could significantly boost the Alaskan economy. 

5. Why does Murkowski support "Obamacare" if she is a Republican?

She didn't want to see the lowering uninsured rate reversed, and the Republican plans to hit her state particularly hard also motivated her to support Obamacare.

6. How long has drilling in this part of Alaska been banned?

Since 1960

7. What benefit do Alaskan citizens get each year from the resources in their state?

Every October, each Alaskan resident for over a year gets a check for $2,200, which comes from the oil and gas production in the state. 

8. How & why would Murkowski vote if she acts as a "delegate", a "trustee", and a "partisan"?

Delegate: Vote the way the state wants (yes to oil drilling) to secure her seat for later on

Partisan: Vote the way Republicans do (against Obamacare) to gain favor with her party

Trustee: Vote for what she believes is right (keep Obamacare with restrictions) to ultimately help her people.