Arlen Specter
Bio | Arlen Specter is an American politician and lawyer. He previously served as a U.S. Senator for Pennsylvania. |
Status and Position | Former US Senator of Pennsylvania |
Political Party and Jurisdiction | Republican, Pennsylvania |
Elections | Election Jurisdiction | Started Campaign | Campaign Status | Poll Rankings (of the vote) |
| none |
Campaign Financing | Specter has received a majority of contributions from law firms and securities and investment companies. |
Voting Rights | Specter has not made a public stance on voting rights. |
Opinions on Issues
Issues | Stance | Summary |
| Universal Healthcare | For | Specter believes that more citizens should have easier access to healthcare Specter voted yes for overriding veto on expansion of Medicare and also supported expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. |
| Socialized Healthcare | Unknown | Specter has not made a public stance on this issue |
| Private Healthcare | Unknown | Specter has not made a public stance on this issue |
| LGBT Rights | For | Specter opposed LGBT Rights at the beginning of his political career, but over time his opinion evolved to be supportive of the LGBT community Specter publicly called for the repeal for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). He also opposed the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy regarding LGBTQ member in the military community. |
| Taxes | Against | He is opposed to raising taxes Specter has voted yes on raising estate tax exemption to $5 millionand on allowing alternative minimum tax without budget offset |
| Flat Tax Rate | For | He supports a flat tax rate and even though later on he switched to the Democratic Party, he maintained the same perspective Specter has voted yes on raising estate tax exemption to $5 millionand on allowing alternative minimum tax without budget offset |
| Gun Control | Against | He has made a public stance strongly opposing gun control Specter voted yes on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains as well as voting against background checks at gun shows. |
| Assisted Suicide | Unknown | Specter has not made a public stance on this issue Specter voted yes on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains as well as voting against background checks at gun shows. |
| Government Interference | Against | Specter opposes gun control and abortion, which both deal with government interference in the lives of individuals |
| Planned Parenthood | For | Specter publicly supported planned parenthood |
| Welfare | For | Specter voted in support of many policies that would encourage welfare Specter voted yes on welfare block grants, allowing state welfare waivers, and tax credits to promote home ownership in distressed areas. |
| Welfare | For | Specter has publicly supported stem cell research |