Changes

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>

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>

Nelson is strongly pro-life regarding [[abortion]]. From 2007-2008 he earned an 85% rating from the National Right to Life Committee. <ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=21744</ref> 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]] in January 2007.

Nelson is strongly [[pro-life]]. From 2007-2008 he earned an 85% rating from the National Right to Life Committee. <ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=21744</ref> He voted for the imposition of criminal penalties when an  unborn fetus was harmed during the commission of a 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]].  

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>

 

In February 2009, Senator Nelson and [[liberal]] Republican Senator [[Susan Collins]] of [[Maine]] reached a compromise to deduct $100 billion from the 2009 economic spending package, with it still totalling $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==