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.