Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today issued the following statement about Senator Arlen Specter’s decision to switch parties:
“Arlen Specter has been an independent voice for Pennsylvania for a long time. His support for President Obama’s economic recovery plan helped deliver billions of dollars for job creation, health care, and education to New York and states across the country.
“Senator Specter has been a gracious friend and advisor to me during these past few months. I am particularly inspired by his long term support for medical research and the National Institute for Health.
“Senator Specter’s decision to switch parties confirms, what I firmly believe, that the Democratic Party is a big tent. Our party has a vision for economic recovery, affordable health care, and quality education, and we are fostering the dialogue we need to make it happen and improve people’s lives.”