While most political attention has shifted to the Iran deal, the Senate spending bill rebellion continues. Murkowski and Collins have not indicated they will change their positions on Alaska Native program cuts and Medicaid protections in response to the diplomatic development. Their objections are constituency-based, not geopolitical — the Iran deal does not make Alaskan healthcare less necessary or Maine’s Medicaid population less in need of coverage. Senate leadership is hoping the Iran deal’s positive political environment will create pressure for compromise. Murkowski and Collins are giving no indication of movement.
WHY THE SPENDING FIGHT CONTINUES
The Iran deal creates a positive political environment that should help Republican incumbents broadly. But “broadly helpful political environment” does not translate to “Murkowski can vote against Alaska Native healthcare.” The deal has no logical connection to the specific constituency harms that are driving the Senate rebellion. Leadership will try to use the deal’s momentum to push for a floor vote. Murkowski and Collins will hold until they get their carve-outs.
| CONFIDENCE: HIGH | Murkowski and Collins positions are documented from prior reporting. Iran deal-spending bill connection (absence thereof) is ONYX analytical observation. |
SOURCES
▸ Prior ONYX August 7 Story 6 — spending bill rebellion context
▸ Weekend reporting — Murkowski, Collins no stated position change
