In previous years, Oregon's Republican Senator Gordon Smith has been a reliable vote against opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve to drilling. But The Hill's Alexander Bolton reports that Smith has changed his mind on the issue in the lead up to a key budget vote.

Recognizing the new political reality, Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), who said he has voted against drilling in the Arctic several times, intends to vote for the reconciliation package and its drilling provision.

Smith said drilling in the reserve “is not the lightning rod it once was.”

“That’s a fact,” he said. “Even in Oregon.”

This is not the first time this year Smith has abandoned his original moderate position in favor of the more conservative views of the Republican leadership. At one point in April, Smith was poised to upend the Republican Budget bill over excessive cuts to Medicaid, but by the end of the month he had given into his party's leadership and pledged to the support the bill. Although he will not be up for reelection for another three years, Oregonians -- who generally support the Democratic Party in federal and statewide elections -- won't likely forget the conservative stances he takes now.