This shows that they need to give concessions to their base - as well as to bribe the few moderate Senators. The bribes are bogus because they are promises for many years - 2020 to 2026 and do not deal with the program intentionally going off the cliff in 2026. In the first place if this passes, a new Congress in 2019 will likely try to change the state level formulas.

For Collins, who supposedly is interested in running for Governor in 2018, she would face the very likely reduced dollars available at some point as Governor. Add that this bill nationwide has an approval rating around 20% a yes vote would hurt her more than a no vote in the general election. Collins knows that even though the right wing has always disliked her, no one took on the challenge of running against her in the primary (other than as a write in).

Both Murkowski and Collins are popular in their states as moderate, independent thinking Republicans. Murkowski won reelection even after a tea party candidate defeated her in the primary. This happened even when Alaska said it would only count write in that were spelled correctly!

Another problem with these bribes is that there are many Republicans who have been strangely silent. Want to bet that Toomey, club for growth person he is, will want more for PA? What about Portman for Ohio, Capito for WV? As those bribes add up, remember that if they get too high, more of the right wing will bolt. Also they are left with very few days until September 30. (Not to mention Yom Kippur starts Friday night. If they have the chutzpah to vote on saturday, this really is an appropriate time for Jewish Senators to claim that they have a responsibility to vote to save a life.)