GOP representative may break on budget

WASHINGTON, March 31 (UPI) -- A freshman U.S. congressman says he may break ranks with the Republican Party when the House votes on President Barack Obama's budget proposal later this week.

Rep. Joseph Cao, R-La., told The Hill his constituents are divided about the $3.6 trillion budget, but he said he wanted more information before deciding on how he will vote.

"At this point, I'm not sure which is approach is better," Cao said Tuesday.

If he casts an "aye" vote, Cao would be the first Republican in recent memory to support a Democratic budget resolution, the Washington publication said. House Republicans were united against the 2007 and 2008 budget resolutions.

Cao said he's been briefed by budget-related agencies and the Congressional Research Service, and has talked with colleagues as well.

"I'm in the process of trying to accumulate information and to synthesize and to see what is the better approach," Cao said.

Cao defeated indicted Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., last year, while Obama won Cao's district.