Editing Arlen Specter (section)

== U.S. Senate Career ==

Specter served in the U.S. Senate from 1981 to 2011, initially as a Republican. He was known for:

=== Major Positions ===
* Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee
* Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee
* Senior member of the Appropriations Committee

=== Notable Actions ===
* Cross-examination of Anita Hill during Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings (1991)
* Opposition to Robert Bork's Supreme Court nomination
* Support for Roe v. Wade as a Republican senator
* Advocacy for increased medical research funding

=== Party Switch ===

In April 2009, Specter switched from the Republican to the Democratic Party, citing the Republican Party's shift to the right. The switch was controversial and ultimately contributed to his defeat in the 2010 Democratic primary.