However much you may deplore it, Murkowski’s vote on the tax cut bill made perfect sense. Her price was drilling in ANWR, and she got it. Case closed.
It’s harder to understand Susan Collins’ vote, because she didn’t get any such quid pro quo. She’s not stupid, so she has to know that the bill will, among other things, increase taxes for some of her constituents, severely damage the individual health insurance market, drive up interest rates, and exacerbate inequality. Why would she do it?
There are only two plausible answers: donor and peer pressure. Neither reflects well on her. But, at least, she can always say she won one for the Trumpster. That should go over well when she runs for re-election.