N.Y. state senator returns to Democrats

ALBANY, N.Y., June 15 (UPI) -- A week after two Democrats jumped ship, giving the Republicans a majority in the New York Senate, one of the defectors jumped back Tuesday.

That leaves the body split down the middle 31-31. Republicans attempted to hold a session but fell short of a quorum.

Unable to hold votes, the Republican senators prayed, pledged allegiance to the flag and made speeches, the New York Daily News reported Monday. Sen. Pedro Espada Jr., who may or may not be the temporary president of the senate, accused Democratic senators of "boycotting their responsibilities" by staying away.

"We're ready to work," Espada said before the abortive session started. "Folks are getting paid They're not here. Something's wrong with that picture and it's not something we're doing."

Republicans held the majority for years until Democrats gained a narrow margin in 2008.

Republican and Democratic leaders held a closed-door meeting in an attempt to resolve the impasse. Normally, the lieutenant governor casts tie-breaking votes, but New York does not have one since David Paterson moved up to governor following the resignation of Eliot Spitzer.