Senate Report Card: Ben Nelson D-NE

Senator Ben Nelson is the junior Democratic United States Senator from the state of Nebraska. He assumed office in 2001.

Senator Nelson is one of the most conservative members of the Democratic Party. Nelson is one of few Democrats in the Senate with a pro-life voting record. Nelson is a member of the Democrats for Life of America. He has been endorsed by Nebraska Right to Life and Nebraskans United for Life.

Nelson voted against the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act. He is in favor of eliminating the estate tax as well as maintaining President Bush's tax cuts that were opposed as being in favor of the rich by most Democrats. He has voted extremely conservatively with regards to bankruptcy reform, environmental protection, lawsuit reform, and trade.

He has voted against funding for embryonic stem cell research. He voted for cloture and to end debate on the Federal Marriage Amendment. He voted against cloture to end debate and go to a vote on withdrawing combat troops from Iraq, siding with Republicans, Democrats were unable to end debate and move to a vote, effectively killing the bill. He voted to restore funding to Vice President Cheney's office.

Nelson was one of the Gang of 14 Senators to forge a compromise on the Democrats' use of the judicial filibuster, effectively preventing Republicans use of the "nuclear option" to change the Senate rules. Democrats agreed to retain the power to filibuster one of President Bush's judicial nominees only in an "extraordinary circumstance", and agreed that Janice Rogers Brown, Priscilla Owen and William Pryor, Bush's nominations to the appellate courts, would receive a vote by the full Senate. He became the only Democrat to vote in favor of Brown; he also was the only Democratic senator to support Samuel Alito's confirmation to the United States Supreme Court.

Senator Nelson voted against opening up Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.

Nelson offered an amendment that would reduce cuts in federal subsidies for the Federal Family Education Loan program. The Higher Education Reconciliation Bill proposes cutting $18.5 billion over five years from the program. Nelson's amendment would maintain $15.65 billion in cuts and restore the difference, ensuring the program could continue to be an option for America's families and students seeking affordable college assistance.

Senator Ben Nelson voted for the use of military force in Iraq. He has voted against President Bush's troop surge. He voted to restrict troop deployments. He voted for a troop reduction.

Senator Ben Nelson faces reelection in 2012.