Specter's First Vote As Democrat: "No" On Obama's Budget

He might be a Democrat now, but Arlen Specter's still standing with the GOP on opposing President Obama's budget. In his first major vote since switching parties, the Pennsylvania senator voted no tonight on the blueprint for next year's next year's $3.4 trillion spending plan. Still, it passed 53 to 43.

Specter has said he opposes a "reconciliation" measure included in the bill that would allow Congress to pass health care reform later in the year while barring any filibusters.

After all the glad-handing Specter accepted this morning from his new colleagues on the left, tonight's vote is a clear signal that he won't be marching with them lock step.

Get the new
PD toolbar!


Follow PoliticsDaily On Facebook and Twitter,
and download the new Politics Daily toolbar!