The Specter Defection Policy Ramifications

Brian Darling /

Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter participates in a Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing on the public health response to the Swine Flu on Capitol Hill in Washington on April 28, 2009. Specter announced today he is switching from Republican to Democrat.

Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the longest serving Senator in Pennsylvania history, has made some history today by switching from the Republican to the Democrat Party.

Specter’s switch will have policy ramifications for conservatives. As of today, 59 Senators caucus with the Democrats, including Specter, socialist Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Independent Democrat Senator Joe Lieberman.

One Senate race is still in dispute, but comedian Al Franken seems to be close to securing the disputed Senate seat in Minnesota. If Franken is seated, then a caucus of Democrats would have 60 votes in the Senate.

This is important on policy grounds for a few reasons. One issue that will be dramatically affected is Health Care. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon told CQ: “I think his decision is transformative. . . . This makes a very significant difference in the health care reform discussion.” (more…)

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