Specter: Wilson should be censured

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) on Thursday called for the House to censure Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-S.C.)  for shouting "you lie!" at President Obama during his Wednesday night speech.

Wilson made his outburst after Obama said that his health reform plan would not ensure illegal immigrants. After making the remark, the president glared at the Republican side of the aisle, as did House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Vice President Joe Biden.

The fifth-term senator tweeted Thursday:

Rep. Wilson apologized immediately afterward but I don't think that’s adequate.

There ought to be a reprimand or censure of Rep. Joe Wilson to discourage that kind of conduct in the future.

"This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the president’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill," Wilson said after the speech.

"While I disagree with the president’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the president for this lack of civility," he added.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) appeared to halt efforts to censure Wilson, saying that she did not want to dwell on the incident.