http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/bennelson/ en-us Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:14:50 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2272021/posts WASHINGTON, June 14 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's health secretary on Sunday pushed for a new government-run healthcare program, an idea facing skepticism even in his own party, and a senior Senate Democrat flatly said votes are lacking in Congress for the proposal. In addition, Vice President Joe Biden opposed proposals being discussed by some lawmakers to tax health insurance benefits provided to people by employers as a way to pay for an overhaul of the $2.5 trillion U.S. healthcare industry. Obama, aiming to get healthcare costs under control and ensure that the 46 million Americans who are uninsured can... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2272021/posts#comment Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:14:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2258595/posts Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE)--who's been giving Barack Obama a tough time of late--has released a statement on the Sotomayor nomination. "President Obama is to be commended for selecting a nominee with a significant breadth and depth of legal experience to replace retiring Justice David Souter," Nelson says, "I look forward to learning more about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's background, record and qualifications -- and to meeting with her to discuss her judicial philosophy -- as this important United States Supreme Court nomination moves forward." Nelson supported both of George W. Bush's Supreme Court nominees, and gave the previous President wide latitude... TPM (Talking Points Memo)DC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2258595/posts#comment Tue, 26 May 2009 21:34:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2257672/posts WASHINGTON – A leading Democratic senator warned Sunday his party could support a potentially polarizing obstruction of President Barack Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court if he names an "activist" to the bench. Parties in opposition to a sitting president traditionally call for moderation in a pick to the country's highest court, but moderate Democrat Ben Nelson issued a blunt warning from Obama's own party that the president should not choose someone seen as out of the mainstream. "I don't care whether they're liberal or conservative," Nelson told Fox News Sunday in an interview. "I just want to make sure... http://www.newsmax.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2257672/posts#comment Mon, 25 May 2009 06:59:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2236009/posts Except for the arguments over whether to create a public insurance option, the health care debate is still in what one prominent expert has called the “kumbaya” phase. Traditional opponents of reform are not yet attacking. Supporters of reform are stressing their common beliefs. Things will change once actual legislation emerges and inevitable differences over the details emerge. But, for now, everybody is playing nice. Everybody, that is, except for Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson. Nelson, a Democrat, distinguished himself a few weeks ago by voting against his fellow Democrats on the budget. Now, it seems, he’s prepared to do the... New Republic http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2236009/posts#comment Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:24:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2232196/posts Radio and TV talk show personalities are distorting the public debate on critical issues with bias and misinformation, Sen. Ben Nelson said Friday. Too many Americans “get their news from entertainers (who) tell them what to be angry about today,” Nelson said. Nelson pointed the finger at personalities on both the right and the left during a speech to the Nebraska Public Policy Center on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. Both Jon Stewart on Comedy Central and conservative radio icon Rush Limbaugh “slant the news to fit their agenda,” Nelson said. Then he added Bill O’Reilly, Glenn Beck and Sean... Journalstar.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2232196/posts#comment Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:00:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2176332/posts Some Senate Democrats are joining the Republican chorus in opposition to the $900 billion economic stimulus package. President Obama is stressing bipartisanship when it comes to the $900 billion economic stimulus plan being considered in the Senate, and he may get it -- in unity of opposition. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he "can't believe that the president isn't embarrassed about" the stimulus packages that have passed the House and the Senate appropriations and finance committees. "It'll need to change if it'll do any good. I mean, things like $150 million honey bee insurance and $650 million to... FOx News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2176332/posts#comment Sun, 1 Feb 2009 20:38:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2175908/posts An influential Senate Democrat said Friday that it's unclear whether President Obama's $819 economic stimulus bill will win enough support to pass in the Senate. "I don't even know how many Democrats will vote for it, as it stands today," Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., told FOX News. Lawmakers are unhappy that the bill, passed by the House on Wednesday, contains billions of dollars for programs that arguably won't spark much job growth. "What I'm hoping to do is bring together a bipartisan group of Republicans and Democrats and offer changes that will attract others and improve the bill," he told... Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2175908/posts#comment Sun, 1 Feb 2009 00:07:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2055473/posts In the Senate, it nowadays apparently takes a self-appointed, biparitsan "gang" of senators to get past the partisan gridlock. For instance, there was the Gang of 14 group of senators who helped the Senate get beyond an impasse on judicial appointments a few years ago. Today, a new group of senators calling itself the Gang of Ten, announced that it had arrived at a compromise energy proposal meant to break the partisan logjam that exists on the issue. The group's members are: Sens. Kent Conrad (D-ND), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Mary Landrieu... swamppolitics.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2055473/posts#comment Sat, 2 Aug 2008 20:13:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1992917/posts In a state that has seen its share of electoral problems this decade, Florida’s senior Sen. Bill Nelson made a rare appearance before the state Senate Thursday to unveil sweeping federal election reform legislation that would eliminate the Electoral College. As the state now wrestles with the national Democratic Party to find a solution to seat its 210 delegates at this year’s presidential nominating convention, Nelson noted that “the solution is very elusive,” but that, “If nothing else, this election has provided further evidence that our system is broken.” The Democratic senator, who sued the Democratic National Committee and Chairman... FOXNews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1992917/posts#comment Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:42:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1876500/posts Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- In an ironic vote, Senate Democrats led a fight against an amendment to the SCHIP bill on Thursday night that would have helped poor pregnant women and their unborn children obtain prenatal care. They voted against restoring a program that allows states to provide help for pregnant women in difficult financial circumstances. The reasons for the vote likely had more to do with the politics of abortion. In 2002, President Bush authorized a change in the SCHIP program that allowed states to cover pregnant women and their babies -- and many states such as California, Rhode... LifeNews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1876500/posts#comment Sun, 5 Aug 2007 02:24:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1863513/posts WASHINGTON -- Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has teamed up with a Democratic colleague in drafting legislation to force a halt to U.S. combat missions in Iraq. Collins and Ben Nelson of Nebraska said their binding amendment to the defense policy bill would order the U.S. mission to focus on training the Iraqi security forces, targeting al-Qaida members and protecting Iraq's borders. The Maine senator said her goal is "to redefine the mission and set the stage for a significant but gradual drawdown of our troops next year." AP via WMTW.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1863513/posts#comment Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:46:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1780188/posts As Nebraska tries to work out its gun laws, Senator Ben Nelson is trying to ensure your concealed weapon permit is good in all other states. Nelson is calling for a national standard for the right to carry a concealed weapon. Nelson is one of the sponsors of a bill requiring states to recognize each others concealed weapons permits the same way driver's licenses are recognized. Under the bill, the laws of each state restricting where concealed firearms can be carried would still apply. According to the National Rifle Association, 48 states have laws allowing some form of concealed carry. khastv.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1780188/posts#comment Tue, 6 Feb 2007 18:43:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1771825/posts WASHINGTON - Congressional Republicans pushed back Monday against President Bush's decision to deploy additional troops in Iraq, some voicing opposition while others called for the administration and Iraqi government to be held accountable. In the Senate, three GOP lawmakers joined one Democrat in unveiling nonbinding legislation expressing disagreement with Bush's plan and urging him to "consider all options and alternatives" to the planned increase of 21,500 troops. In the House, members of the leadership drafted a series of what they called "strategic benchmarks," and said the White House should submit monthly reports to Congress measuring progress toward meeting them. The... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1771825/posts#comment Mon, 22 Jan 2007 21:37:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1589898/posts Nelson wants to fence off Mexico BY HENRY J. CORDES WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER There's a growing consensus in Washington that before Congress can address comprehensive immigration reform, it must first crack down at the nation's borders, U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson said Friday. Sen. Ben Nelson Nelson this week introduced a new border security bill, one that would go even further than the proposal he first outlined in September. Among the provisions added since September is the construction of a $5 billion, two-layer reinforced fence that would stretch from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico along the 1,900-mile U.S.-Mexico... Omaha World-Herald http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1589898/posts#comment Sat, 4 Mar 2006 14:50:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1589910/posts See for example this thread first. Ben Nelson wants to build a wall Mexican illegals to stallIndia did it first But that's not the worst Chuck Hagel don't want it at ALL! grey_whiskers http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1589910/posts#comment Sat, 4 Mar 2006 15:14:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1560264/posts Today: January 18, 2006 at 5:26:11 PST Democrat Nelson Says He'll Back Alito ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska on Tuesday became the first Democrat to announce he will vote to confirm Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. Nelson, one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress, said in a statement that he had made up his mind to support Alito "because of his impeccable judicial credentials, the American Bar Association's strong recommendation and his pledge that he would not bring a political agenda to the court." The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote next Tuesday... Las Vegas Sun http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1560264/posts#comment Wed, 18 Jan 2006 14:57:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1559975/posts Ben Nelson of Nebraska on Tuesday became the first Senate Democrat to announce his support of conservative Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, who is expected to be confirmed later this month by the full Republican-led Senate. Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1559975/posts#comment Wed, 18 Jan 2006 01:33:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1559900/posts WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to serve as the 110th Justice of the United States Supreme Court now completed, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson issued the following statement: “I have decided to vote in favor of Judge Samuel Alito to serve as the 110th Justice of the United States Supreme Court. I came to this decision after careful consideration of his impeccable judicial credentials, the American Bar Association's strong recommendation and his pledge that he would not bring a political agenda to the Court.” Ben Nelson Press Release http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1559900/posts#comment Tue, 17 Jan 2006 23:37:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1551903/posts Tribal Clients And Associates Of Jack Abramoff Have Contributed Over $3.1 Million To Democrat Party Interests Between 1997 And 2004. (Campaign Finance Analysis Project Website, www.campaignfinanceanalysisproject.com, Accessed December 2005; Political Money Line Website, www.tray.com, Accessed December 2005) National Democrat Party Affiliated Committees Received Over $1.2 Million From Indian Tribe Clients And Lobbying Associates Of Jack Abramoff. (Campaign Finance Analysis Project Website, www.campaignfinanceanalysisproject.com, Accessed December 7, 2005; Political Money Line Website, www.tray.com, Accessed December 7, 2005; Internal Revenue Service Website, www.irs.gov, Accessed April 21, 2005) The Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) Received Over – $430,000 The Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)... NRSC Newsletter http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1551903/posts#comment Wed, 4 Jan 2006 21:09:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1550108/posts would seem that few in Florida politics suffered through a more miserable 2005 than Katherine Harris. The Longboat Key congresswoman's attempt to replace incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in the 2006 election was impeded by her own Republican Party leaders, who engaged in a public attempt to find another candidate. Polls show her trailing Nelson badly. She failed to meet her own fundraising targets, and the caricatures from her role in the 2000 presidential election were resurrected. Worried? Not her. "It's been a great year," she said, rattling off a list of accomplishments in Congress and praising a re-energized... Tallahassee Ledger http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1550108/posts#comment Sun, 1 Jan 2006 09:28:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1523869/posts The writer, of Omaha, is Nebraska's junior U.S. senator.During his confirmation hearings, John Roberts said that judges should judge each case on its own merits. They need to weigh matters, not approach their work as ideological automatons.Those words were recounted in a Oct. 28 World-Herald editorial that recommended U.S. senators keep Roberts' considerations "firmly in mind" as they consider the next nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court and fulfill their obligation in considering appointees.With one successful and one unsuccessful Supreme Court nomination behind us, the Senate now is considering the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to replace retiring Associate Justice... Omaha World Herald http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1523869/posts#comment Thu, 17 Nov 2005 16:38:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1514123/posts WASHINGTON - A centrist Democratic senator complimented Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito Wednesday as a moderate jurist who won't "hammer away and chisel away" existing law.While Sen. Ben Nelson did not endorse President Bush's latest nominee for the high court, he did say he was impressed by what he heard from Alito during his introductory visit.The Nebraska Democrat, who was Alito's first senatorial host Wednesday, told reporters that he got assurances that Alito would not be "judicial activist" or "take an agenda to the bench" if confirmed to succeed Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who is retiring."He assured me that... SanLuisObispo - The Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1514123/posts#comment Wed, 2 Nov 2005 16:34:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1501801/posts Earlier this month, my wife Sue and I embarked on a 2-day 12-city tour across Nebraska to formally announce my candidacy for the United States Senate. Prior to this month’s tour, I spent the past 5 months traveling the state listening to Nebraskans. The overwhelming message I heard was it is time for change in Washington – and I couldn’t agree more. The leadership of the national Democratic Party has been captured by the “blame America first” crowd who want to take America in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, at the same time, many Republicans in Washington have abandoned basic Republican... Stenberg for Nebraska http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1501801/posts#comment Thu, 13 Oct 2005 15:47:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1499919/posts Don Stenberg lit a fire under his Senate campaign last week. First came a declaration of conservative principles that disassociated him from the Republican record in Washington and effectively erased any image of him as a rubber stamp for President Bush. Next, Stenberg sent letters to 525 Republican leaders and activists throughout the state addressing the question of “electability” that has been used against him. Stenberg lost an earlier challenge to Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson in 2000. However, it was “the closest U.S. Senate race in Nebraska history,” Stenberg wrote members of the GOP’s governing state central committee, delegates to... Lincoln Journal Star http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1499919/posts#comment Mon, 10 Oct 2005 16:33:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1497037/posts Republican U.S. Senate candidate Don Stenberg blamed Democrats Tuesday for liberal judges, gay marriages, abortion and other social ills, but he reserved his harshest criticism for fellow Republicans in Washington. Former Nebraska attorney general and now an official Senata candidate Don Stenberg Stenberg blamed Republicans in the nation's capital - including President Bush - for the growing federal budget deficit, for "confused" border policies and for increasing federal control over local education. "Republicans in Washington need to be reminded why they were sent there in the first place," Stenberg said as he kicked off a 12-city tour of the state.... Omaha World-Herald http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1497037/posts#comment Wed, 5 Oct 2005 15:37:49 GMT