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'''Earl Benjamin "Ben" Nelson''', born May 17, 1941 (age {{age|1941|5|17}}), is the junior U.S. Senator from [[Nebraska]] and a member of the [[Democratic Party]]. He is well known for being one of the few moderate Democrats in the U.S. Senate. He has high approval ratings in his home state.

'''Earl Benjamin "Ben" Nelson''', born May 17, 1941 (age {{age|1941|5|17}}), is the senior U.S. Senator from [[Nebraska]] and a member of the [[Democratic Party]]. He currently serves on the Committees on Appropriations, Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Armed Services, and Rules and Administration.

==Political career==

==Political career==

Ben Nelson was elected governor of Nebraska in 1990 and reelected in 1994. Nelson, a fiscal [[conservative]], cut the sales tax and income tax and cut $157 million in spending. He also was able to pass eight balanced budgets. He ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1996, but was defeated by [[Republican]] war hero [[Chuck Hagel]]. Nelson left the governor's office in January 1999 after two terms and was succeeded by Republican [[Mike Johanns]]. Nelson was again nominated by the Democrats for the Senate in 2000 after his fellow Democrat, incumbent Bob Kerrey, announced his retirement. Nelson won with 50.99% of the vote after a campaign in which he spent 50% more ($1,004,985) than his opponent. In 2006 he was reelected by a much larger margin, winning with 64% of the vote.  

Ben Nelson was elected governor of Nebraska in 1990 and reelected in 1994. Nelson cut the sales tax and income tax and cut $157 million in spending. He also was able to pass eight balanced budgets. He ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1996, but was defeated by [[Republican]] war hero [[Chuck Hagel]]. Nelson left the governor's office in January 1999 after two terms and was succeeded by Republican [[Mike Johanns]]. Nelson was again nominated by the Democrats for the Senate in 2000 after his fellow Democrat, incumbent Bob Kerrey, announced his retirement. Nelson won with 50.99% of the vote after a campaign in which he spent 50% more ($1,004,985) than his opponent. In 2006 he was reelected by a much larger margin, winning with 64% of the vote.  

==Political views==  

==Political views==  

Nelson is a conservative on many issues and his votes have placed him at odds with the leadership of his party. A 2007 National Journal congressional vote rating placed him to the right of eight Senate Republicans. He was one of only two Democratic senators to vote against the 2002 Campaign Reform Act (also known as McCain-Feingold). Nelson supports eliminating the estate tax and voted in favor of both the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003. He voted for the 2006 Federal Marriage Amendment. He is also strongly pro-life. He voted for criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime and is against embryonic Stem Cell Research. Nelson also praised President Bush's two nominees for the U.S. Supreme Court, [[John Roberts]] and [[Samuel Alito]]. Some of Ben Nelson's positions that are well within the mainstream of the Democratic Party. He has consistently voted against drilling in the [[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]]. He also opposed President Bush's plan to send an additional 21,500 troops to [[Iraq]].

Next to [[Zell Miller]], Nelson became the most conervative Democat in the Senate, with his votes often placing him at odds with the leadership of the Democratic Party. A 2007 National Journal congressional vote rating placed him to the right of eight Senate Republicans. <ref>http://www.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/sen/cons.htm</ref> He was one of only two Democratic senators to vote against the 2002 Campaign Reform Act ([[McCain-Feingold]]). Nelson supports eliminating the estate tax and voted in favor with the [[Bush administration]]'s tax cuts of 2001 and 2003. He voted for the 2006 Federal Marriage Amendment. <ref>http://www.hrc.org/issues/5556.htm</ref>

In February 2009, Senator Nelson and [[liberal]] Republican Senator [[Susan Collins]] of [[Maine]] reached a compromise to reduce $100 billion from the 2009 economic spending package, with it still totaling $787 billion. It passed on a 60-38 vote. <ref>http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/02/6038_senate_passes_stimulus.html</ref>

 

In February 2009, Senator Nelson and [[liberal]] Republican Senator [[Susan Collins]] of [[Maine]] reached a compromise to reduce $100 billion from the 2009 economic spending package, with it still totaling $787 billion. It passed on a 60-38 vote. <ref>http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/02/6038_senate_passes_stimulus.html</ref> Nelson may join a Republican filibuster of Democratic [[health care]] legislation. "I would add the caveat that we have to be sure it is not a bad bill, that it doesn't add to the deficit, that it doesn't increase taxes, and that does, in fact, control the growth in costs." <ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/11/11/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5615006.shtml</ref>

==External links==

==External links==