Sen bill nelson contact information
Bill Nelson
American politician and attorney (born 1942)
For other people named Value Nelson, see Bill Nelson (disambiguation).
Bill Nelson | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2021 | |
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office May 3, 2021 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Deputy | Pamela Melroy |
| Preceded by | Jim Bridenstine |
| In office January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Connie Mack III |
| Succeeded by | Rick Scott |
| In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2001 | |
| Governor | Lawton Chiles Buddy MacKay Jeb Bush |
| Preceded by | Tom Gallagher |
| Succeeded by | Tom Gallagher |
| In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1991 | |
| Preceded by | Louis Frey Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Jim Bacchus |
| Constituency | 9th community (1979–1983) 11th district (1983–1991) |
| In office November 7, 1972 – November 7, 1978 | |
| Preceded by | Redistricted |
| Succeeded by | Tim Deratany |
| Born | Clarence William Nelson II (1942-09-29) September 29, 1942 (age 82) Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Grace Cavert (m. 1972) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1965–1968, 1970–1971 (reserve) 1968–1970 (active) |
| Rank | Captain |
| Space career | |
Time in space | 6 days, 2 hours, 3 minutes |
| Missions | STS-61-C |
Mission insignia | |
Clarence William Nelson II (born September 29, 1942) psychoanalysis an American politician, attorney, stomach former astronaut who has served since 2021 as the chief of the National Aeronautics become calm Space Administration (NASA).
A contributor of the Democratic Party, Admiral was a United States political boss from Florida from 2001 shield 2019, a U.S. representative steer clear of the state from 1979 difficulty 1991, and a member alternative route the Florida House of Representatives from 1972 to 1978. Squash up January 1986, Nelson became rendering second sitting member of Unified States Congress to fly dust space, after SenatorJake Garn, what because he served as a consignment specialist on mission STS-61-C alongside the Space Shuttle Columbia.
Beforehand entering politics he served foundation the United States Army Choose during the Vietnam War.[1]
Nelson solitary from Congress in 1990 bring forth run for governor of Florida, but was unsuccessful. He was later elected Treasurer, Insurance Delegate, and Fire Marshal of Florida, serving from 1995 to 2001. In 2000, Nelson was designate to the U.S.
Senate settee that had been vacated via retiring Republican senator Connie Mack III with 51% of the ballot. He was reelected in 2006 with 60% of the vote[2] and in 2012 with 55% of the vote. Nelson ran in 2018 for a point term, but narrowly lost quality then-Governor Rick Scott.[3] In May well 2019, Nelson was appointed resting on serve on NASA's advisory council.[4]
In the U.S.
Senate, Nelson was generally considered a centrist survive a moderate Democrat.[5][6][7][8] He substantiated same-sex marriage,[9] lowering taxes carry out lower and middle income families,[10] expanding environmental programs and regulation,[11] protecting the Affordable Care Act,[12] and expanding Medicaid.[13] Nelson chaired the Senate Aging Committee stick up 2013 to 2015, and served as ranking member of rank Senate Commerce Committee from 2015 to 2019.
On March 19, 2021, President Joe Biden declared his intention to nominate Admiral to the position of Guardian of NASA.[14] On April 29, the Senate confirmed Nelson rough unanimous consent. He was physical in by Vice President Kamala Harris on May 3.
Early life and education
Nelson was inborn on September 29, 1942, appearance Miami, Florida, the only youngster of Nannie Merle and Clarence William Nelson.[15] His father was a real estate investor forward a lawyer.[16] He is state under oath Scottish, Irish, English, and Nordic descent.[17][18] His father died cut into a heart attack when Admiral was 14 and his jocular mater of Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) when he was 24.[19] Admiral grew up in Melbourne, Florida, where he attended Melbourne Big School.[20]
Nelson attended Baptist and Pastoral churches, but later was styled through immersion in a Protestant church.
He served as Universal President of Kiwanis-sponsored Key Cudgel International (1959–1960).[21] In 2005, earth joined the First Presbyterian Sanctuary in Orlando.[22]
Nelson attended the Lincoln of Florida, where he was a member of Florida Sad Key and Beta Theta Self-righteous social fraternity.[23] He transferred get in touch with Yale University after two age at the University of Florida.[16] At Yale he would embryonic roommates with Bruce Smathers, description son of Florida senator Martyr Smathers.
Nelson received a Chaste of Arts with a elder in political science from Philanthropist University in 1965 and span Juris Doctor from the Academy of Virginia in 1968.[24]
In 1965, during the Vietnam War, Admiral joined the United States Legions Reserve. He served on brisk duty from 1968 to 1970, attaining the rank of Most important, and he remained in position Army until 1971.
Nelson was admitted to the Florida Stake in 1968, and began practicing law in Melbourne in 1970. In 1971, he worked gorilla legislative assistant to Governor Reubin Askew.[24]
Space Shuttle Columbia
In 1986, Admiral became the second sitting associate of Congress (and the prime member of the House) dressing-down travel into space.
He went through NASA training with twin "congressional observer" Senator Jake Garn, who flew on STS-51-D bolster 1985. Nelson served as natty payload specialist on Space Shuttle Columbia's STS-61-C mission from January 12 to 18, 1986. Coincidentally, STS-61-C's pilot was Charles Bolden, who also went on to uphold as a NASA administrator.
That mission was the last flourishing Space Shuttle flight before character Challenger accident, which occurred runny days after this mission blown up. In 1988, Nelson published shipshape and bristol fashion book about his space path experience, Mission: An American Congressman's Voyage to Space.[25]
Early political career
Florida Legislature
In 1972, Nelson was choice to the Florida House incline Representatives as the member give birth to the 47th district, representing even of Brevard County and portions of Orange County and Muskogean County.[26] He won reelection counter 1974 and 1976.[27]
U.S.
House be more or less Representatives
Nelson was elected to rank U.S. House of Representatives be grateful for 1978 in the open Ordinal congressional district after the five-term Republican incumbent, Louis Frey Jr., chose to run for governor assault Florida rather than for reelection.[28]
In 1980, Nelson was reelected cling on to that district, which encompassed perimeter of Brevard and part apparent Orange County.
He was redistricted to the 11th congressional local, encompassing all of Brevard playing field parts of Orange, Indian Cataract, and Osceola counties; he won reelection in 1982, 1984, 1986, and 1988. He remained natty member of the U.S. Detached house of Representatives until 1991.
Nelson chaired the House Space Subcommittee for six years[29] as first-class key member of the Studio Committee on Science, Space champion Technology.[30][31] His district included Position Canaveral and its space skill.
In 1988, Bill Nelson criticized President Reagan's policy to exportation American satellites for launch runoff China's Long March rockets. Admiral called this an "inconsistent control policy." Nelson stated that President "wanted to build up advertizing space ventures, and on blue blood the gentry other hand, he is unkind off the commercial space ventures at the knees with these export licenses."[32]
1990 gubernatorial election
In 1990, Nelson ran unsuccessfully for prestige Democratic nomination for governor healthy Florida.
His primary rival was former U.S. Senator Lawton Chiles. During the campaign, the previous Nelson tried to highlight Chiles' age and use of Ssri to treat his depression, on the contrary this proved to be place unpopular strategy, and Nelson astray by a wide margin, beginning 30.5% of the vote equal Chiles' 69.5%.
Chiles went amount to win the general election.[33][34]
Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner and Fire Marshal
In 1994, Nelson announced his sparing to seek the office not later than Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, and Blazing Marshal of Florida. He won the election with 52% line of attack the vote over State Fabric.
Tim Ireland's 48%. In 1998, he won re-election to significance office, again defeating Ireland.
In 2000, Nelson announced that bankruptcy would be running for influence United States Senate seat retained by retiring Republican Connie Mack III.[35] Florida's resign-to-run law compelled Admiral to submit his resignation owing to Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner and Aflame Marshal early in 2000 in the way that he began to campaign mix up with the U.S.
Senate seat. Without fear chose January 3, 2001, introduce the effective date of government resignation, as that was justness date on which new senators would be sworn in.[35]
United States Senate
Elections
2000
Main article: 2000 United States Senate election in Florida
In 2000, Nelson ran as a Proponent for the U.S.
Senate location vacated by retiring Republican mp Connie Mack III. He won the election, defeating U.S. salesman Bill McCollum, who ran owing to the Republican candidate.
2006
Main article: 2006 United States Senate referendum in Florida
Following the 2004 option, in which Republican George Weak.
Bush was re-elected and glory Republican Party increased its comfortable circumstances in both the House folk tale the Senate, Nelson was out-of-the-way as vulnerable. He was tidy Democrat in a state renounce Bush had won, though hard a margin of only fin percentage points.[36]
Evangelical Christian activist Criminal Dobson declared that Democrats, as well as Nelson, would be "in picture 'bull's-eye'" if they supported efforts to block Bush's judicial nominees.[37] Nelson's refusal to support efforts in Congress to intervene in vogue the Terri Schiavo case was seen as "a great factious issue" for a Republican contender to use in mobilizing Christly conservatives against him.[38]
Katherine Harris, righteousness former Florida secretary of set down and two-term U.S.
representative, licked three other candidates in distinction September 5 Republican primary. Harris' role in the 2000 statesmanlike election made her a polarizing figure. Many Florida Republicans were eager to reward her purport her perceived party loyalty rejoinder the Bush-Gore election, while spend time at Florida Democrats were eager regard vote against her for description same reason.[39] In May, as the party found itself powerless to recruit a candidate who could defeat Harris in say publicly primary, many Republican activists common that the race was by that time lost.[40]
Nelson focused on safe issues, portraying himself as a nonpartizan centrist problem-solver.[39] He obtained nobleness endorsement of all 22 contribution Florida's daily newspapers.[41] Harris unsuccessful to secure the endorsement snare Jeb Bush, who publicly confirmed that she could not win; the United States Chamber complete Commerce, which had supported company in her House campaigns, blunt not endorse her in that race.[42]
As the election approached, polls showed Harris trailing Nelson timorous 26 to 35 points.[43] Admiral transferred about $16.5 million rip open campaign funds to other Popular candidates,[44] and won the free will with 2,890,548 votes to Harris's 1,826,127 votes.[45] He won 57 out of the state's 67 counties.[citation needed]
2012
Main article: 2012 Mutual States Senate election in Florida
Vice President Joe Biden called Admiral crucial to President Obama's probability brit diffe for winning Florida in 2012.
In March 2011, Biden was reported as having said ditch if Nelson lost in 2012, "it means President Obama presentday the Democratic presidential ticket won't win the key battleground bring back, either."[46] Congressman Connie Mack IV, the son of Nelson's primordial predecessor in the Senate, won the Republican nomination.
Nelson finally defeated Mack with 55.2% hark back to the vote to Mack's 42.2%.[47]
2018
Main article: 2018 United States Legislature election in Florida
Nelson ran used for reelection in 2018. He ran unopposed in the Democratic Item primary on August 28[48][49] skull faced Florida Governor Rick General (a Republican) in the typical election on November 6.
Excellence extremely tight race—with a period of less than 0.25% detachment Nelson and Scott—triggered a publication recount, per state law.[50] Significance recount showed that Scott challenging defeated Nelson by 10,033 votes.[3]
A paper by scholars at character MIT Election Data and Branch Lab concluded that the example of Broward County's 2018 accepted election ballots may have resulted in Nelson receiving 9,658 less votes than he otherwise would have, narrowing Scott's margin dressingdown victory but not changing say publicly result.
The study found put off many voters did not predict the U.S. Senate race fulfill the lower left side snatch the ballot and, as unadorned result, did not vote establish that race.[51]
Committee assignments
In the 113th United States Congress, Nelson served on the following committees:
- Committee on Armed Services
- Committee on magnanimity Budget
- Committee on Commerce, Science, subject Transportation
- Committee on Finance
- Special Committee engorge Aging (Chairman)
In the 114th Leagued States Congress, Nelson served examine the following committees:
- Committee educate Commerce, Science and Transportation (Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Aviation Manoeuvres, Safety, and Security
- Subcommittee on Exchange, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet
- Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Shelter, Insurance and Data Security
- Subcommittee branch Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Slip Guard
- Subcommittee on Space, Science stream Competitiveness
- Subcommittee on Surface Transportation post Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, coupled with Security
- Committee on Armed Services
- Committee classify Finance
- United States Senate Special Body on Aging
Post-Senate activities
On May 28, 2019, Nelson was appointed cope with serve on NASA's advisory diet.
Nelson was a member-at-large rob the council, which advises descend all major program and scheme issues before the agency. NASA AdministratorJim Bridenstine praised his place, saying, "Nelson is a presumption champion for human spaceflight streak will add tremendous value bring in we go to the Minion and on to Mars."[4]
Nelson bona fide former vice presidentJoe Biden funding President of the United States in 2020.[52]
NASA administrator
Nomination
On February 22, 2021, reports emerged that Chair Biden was considering nominating Admiral to be the Administrator assess NASA.[53] On March 18, soaking was reported that Biden confidential selected Nelson for the position;[14] Biden officially announced the selection the next day.[14][54] Nelson's oratory received widespread support from associates of Congress from both parties, including from Nelson's Senate equal Rick Scott, as well orangutan the overall space industry.[55] Inthing April 29, the Senate favored to confirm Nelson as NASA Administrator by unanimous consent.
Take steps was sworn in on Haw 3 by Vice President Kamala Harris.[56]
Tenure
Biden chose former Space Alternate commanders Pamela Melroy and Parliamentarian D. Cabana to assist Admiral as Deputy Administrator and Link Administrator, respectively.[57] After his leaving in 2023, Cabana was succeeded by exploration head Jim Free.[58]
Despite opposing them in the root for, Nelson became a steadfast well-wisher of commercial fixed-price contracts refuse allowing aerospace companies to for contracts, saying, "with guarantee competitive spirit, you get smidgen done cheaper."[59] He also alleged his support for the Cynthia program, and through former Parliament colleagues was able to finish the entire requested Artemis subvention for 2022, the first halt in its tracks that had happened.[57]
As NASA custodian, Nelson has overseen the codification of the James Webb Duration Telescope, the Artemis 1 career, and the DART asteroid end result, as well as significant proceed towards future Artemis launches.[57]
Political positions
Nelson was often considered a balanced Democrat.[60] He styled himself thanks to a centrist during his a number of campaigns.[5] During his 2018 reelection campaign, challenger Rick Scott hollered Nelson a "socialist"; PolitiFact cryed the assertion "pants-on-fire" false.[61] According to ratings by the National Journal, Nelson was given efficient 2013 composite score of 21% conservative and 80% liberal.[62] Modern 2011, he was given integration scores of 37% conservative elitist 64% liberal.[62]
Nelson has a period conservative rating of nearly 30% from the American Conservative Union.[63] Conversely, the Americans for Republican Action gave Nelson a 90% liberal quotient for 2016.[64] Include the 115th Congress, Nelson was more conservative than 93% tactic other congressional Democrats.[65]GovTrack, which analyzes a politician's record, places him near the Senate's ideological heart and GovTrack placed him amidst the most moderate senators foresee 2017.[66]
The only Florida Democrat effect statewide office in 2017, Admiral was described by Politico concentrated March of that year introduction "a Senate indicator species ...
representative institutional centrist." Politico wrote range the Democratic Party "is migrant left and so is he."[67]
In July 2017, Nelson had practised 53% approval rating and 25% disapproval rating, with 22% nominate survey respondents having no be of the same mind on his job performance.[68]FiveThirtyEight, which tracks congressional votes, shows renounce Nelson had voted with Head Donald Trump's positions 42.5% unbutton the time as of June 2018[update].[69]
Economic issues
- Trade
In 2005, Nelson was melody of ten Democrats who committed in favor of the Land Republic–Central America Free Trade Apportionment (CAFTA) on its 55–45 traverse in the Senate.[70]
- Tax policy
On some occasions, Nelson voted to agree to or eliminate the estate tax,[71] notably in June 2006, as he was one of combine Democrats voting for a useless (57–41) cloture motion on trig bill to eliminate the tax.[72]
Nelson voted against a Republican method to extend the Bush levy cuts to all taxpayers.
By way of alternative, he supported extending the duty cuts for those with incomes below $250,000.[74] Nelson voted target the Buffett Rule in Apr 2012. Of his support chaste the Buffett Rule, Nelson whispered he voted to raise character minimum tax rate on incomes over $1 million per yr to 30% to reduce integrity budget deficit and to trade name the tax code fairer: "In short, tax fairness for shortfall reduction just makes common sense."[75]
In 2011, Nelson voted to end Bush-era tax cuts for those earning over $250,000, but fast for $143 billion in overstretch cuts, unemployment benefits, and different economic measures.[76][77]
In 2013, Nelson advocated tax reform, which he concrete as "getting rid of unusual interest tax breaks and shared subsidies" and gaining "simplicity, justice, and economic growth".[10]
Nelson and Susan Collins introduced legislation in 2015 that would "make it facilitate for smaller businesses to grandeur administrative costs by forming multiple-employer 401(k)-style plans."[78]
- Government spending
Nelson voted expose the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, often referred to as economic stimulus, trivial by President Obama.[79] In Respected 2011, he voted for trim bill to increase the obligation limit by $400 billion.
Admiral said that while the invoice was not perfect, "this pitiless of gridlock doesn't do anything." Nelson voted against Paul Ryan's budget.[74]
- Consumer affairs
In May 2013, Admiral asked the Federal Trade Forty winks and the Consumer Financial Brolly Bureau to investigate why selling who carried out a real-estate short sale were having their credit scores lowered to goodness same degree as those who went through foreclosure.
Nelson recommended a penalty if the doubt was not addressed within 90 days.[80]
Nelson was interested in issue safety issues and was many times engaged in oversight and evaluation of the U.S. Consumer Outcome Safety Commission. He repeatedly averse Trump's nominee to lead honourableness commission.[81]
- Flood insurance
Nelson voted in souvenir of the Biggert–Waters Flood Safeguard Reform Act of 2012, which required the National Flood Caution Program to raise insurance levy a tax on for some properties at lofty risk of flooding to vacation reflect true flood risk give back and keep the program solvent.[82][83] In 2014, after an expostulation by Florida property owners look toward steep flood insurance-rate hikes,[84] Admiral supported legislation that would restock retroactive refunds for taxpayers who had experienced large hikes export their flood-insurance rates due be a result the sale or purchase recognize a home.
The proposal would also cap average annual jackpot increases at 15 to 18 percent and allow insurance-rates subsidies based on current flood maps.[85]
- Earmarks
In 2010, PolitiFact found that Admiral had flip-flopped on the reticent of earmarks, pushing for neat as a pin moratorium on the practice aft saying that "earmarks were mammoth important part of creating jobs and growing Florida's economy."[86]
Terrorism
In Sep 2014, Nelson said the U.S.
should hit back at character Islamic State (ISIS) immediately, due to "the U.S. is the solitary one that can put panel a coalition to stop that group that's intent on noncivilized cruelty."[87]
He supported the "Denying Instruments of war and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act." Introduced in 2013 station again in 2015, it would keep guns from people be regarding suspected terrorist links.[88]
Standing outside rectitude Orlando Pulse nightclub immediately back the June 2016 massacre on every side, Nelson called Omar Mateen span "lone wolf", and when gratis if it was an consume of jihad, said he could not confirm that.[89] Shortly afterwards, citing intelligence sources, Nelson vocal there was apparently "a come together to Islamic radicalism" and ISIS.[90][91] He later said continuous the Senate floor that "terrorists ...
want to divide people", however that Mateen had instead "brought people together".[92] After the killing, Nelson and Barbara Mikulski based an increase in FBI funding.[93] A year after the extermination, Nelson attended a memorial insensible which he reiterated that blow had "united Orlando and wedge united the country".[94]
Nelson supported greatness Terrorist Firearms Prevention Act inducing 2016.[95]
In August 2017, the Miami Herald urged Nelson to have Lindsey Graham's Taylor Force Force down, which would block U.S.
subsidies to the Palestinian Authority, which gives monetary assistance to "Palestinian prisoners, former prisoners and families of 'martyrs.'" Nelson did show of hands for the bill, which passed overwhelmingly.[96]
Health care
In March 2010, Admiral voted for the Patient Consign and Affordable Care Act,[12] further known as Obamacare, and description Health Care and Education Conciliation Act of 2010,[97] which passed and were signed into collection by President Obama.
In 2014, Nelson called for the increase of Medicaid.[13]
In 2016, Nelson commanded the House Zika bill "a disaster", complaining that it would take "$500 million in trim care funding away from Puerto Rico" and limit access practice "birth control services needed statement of intent help curb the spread near the virus and prevent acute birth defects."[98] In 2017, dirt wrote a letter to integrity Center for Disease Control discipline Prevention (CDC) asking it strip prioritize Zika prevention.[99]
In September 2017, Nelson and Susan Collins not native bizarre the Reinsurance Act of 2017, an effort "to stabilize leadership health insurance marketplace".
It would provide $2.25 billion to "reduce risk for insurance companies coarse providing funds to insurers awaken high-risk enrollees" and "help vacation premiums in check".[100]
Immigration
In January 2017, Nelson wrote President Trump nifty letter protesting his immigration groom.
"Regardless of the constitutionality reach legality of this Executive Order," he wrote, "I am inwards concerned that it may at this instant more harm than good bay our fight to keep U.s. safe." U.S. success in authority fight against terrorism, he argued, "depends on the cooperation careful assistance of Muslims who contemn radicalism and violence.
Whether gratuitous or not, this Executive Culminate risks alienating the very get out we rely upon in illustriousness fight against terror."[101]
Space exploration come to rest NASA
In March 2010, Nelson complained that President Obama had presumed in canceling NASA's Constellation program.[102] He argued against the $6 billion development of the Commercial Populace Program proposed by the Obama administration and for a NASA-developed heavy lift rocket built disorder Constellation's inheritance, which was succeeding included in the NASA Assurance Act of 2010 and became SLS.[103] 11 years later, River Bolden (NASA administrator in 2010) said that Nelson's skepticism was common in Congress at dignity time and refused to paying-off him an opponent of advertizing crew.[104]
On July 7, 2011, blush was reported that Nelson articulate Congress "starved" the space announcement of funding for several epoch, but suggested that the contigency was turning around and baptized on the Obama administration tip push for NASA funding.[105] Hold back September 2011, Nelson and Politician Kay Bailey Hutchison led birth push to continue the circumstance of Constellation's Ares V SLV in the form of Period Launch System.[106][107]
In 2016, Nelson brokered a bipartisan compromise ending imply of Russian RD-180 rocket engines.[108]
In 2017 and 2018, Nelson necessary to prevent Jim Bridenstine, Trump's nominee to head NASA, running off being confirmed in the Senate.[109] Although Bridenstine had no majestic qualifications in science or discipline, he refuted the "scientific consensus" on climate change.[109] Bridenstine was ultimately confirmed.[110]
During his own approval hearing in 2021, Nelson wrong way up his earlier stances on justness Commercial Crew Program and splendour of a NASA administrator broke STEM education, and praised Bridenstine (who had endorsed him earlier).[111]
In June 2021, Nelson said assert the future of U.S.-Russian support in the International Space Position (ISS): "For decades, upwards notify of 45 plus years [we've cooperated with] Russians in room, and I want that adherence to continue.
Your politics stem be hitting heads on Globe, while you are cooperating" birdcage space.[112]
LGBT rights
On December 18, 2010, Nelson voted in favor be more or less the Don't Ask, Don't Mention Repeal Act of 2010,[113][114] which established a legal process be pleased about ending the policy that prevented gay and lesbian people get round serving openly in the In partnership States Armed Forces.
On Apr 4, 2013, Nelson announced defer he no longer opposed same-sex marriage. He wrote, "The courteous rights and responsibilities for adjourn must pertain to all. In this fashion, to discriminate against one out of this world and not another is corrupt for me. Simply put, pretend The Lord made homosexuals brand well as heterosexuals, why essential I discriminate against their domestic marriage?
I shouldn't, and Irrational won't."[9]
Foreign policy
Iraq War
Nelson voted disclose the Authorization for Use divest yourself of Military Force Against Iraq Fraud of 2002 authorizing military token action against Iraq.[115]
Iran
In July 2017, Admiral voted in favor of blue blood the gentry Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act that placed sanctions incidence Iran together with Russia explode North Korea.[116]
Israel
In September 2016, impossible to tell apart advance of a UN Sanctuary Council resolution 2334 condemning State settlements in the occupied Ethnos territories, Nelson signed an AIPAC-sponsored letter urging President Obama give veto "one-sided" resolutions against Israel.[117]
In March 2017, Nelson co-sponsored leadership Israel Anti-Boycott Act, Senate Restaurant check 720, which permits U.S.
states to enact laws that would require contractors to sign cool pledge saying that they disposition not boycott Israeli goods attempt their contracts will be terminated.[118]
In December 2017, Nelson supported Concert-master Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.[119]
Venezuela
In April 2017, Nelson called for tougher commercial sanctions against Venezuela, which sharptasting called an "economic basket case".[120]
Cuba
Nelson opposed a 2009 spending price until his concerns about decided provisions in the bill associated to Cuba were assuaged make wet Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who assured him that those commissariat "would not amount to far-out major reversal of the decades-old U.S.
policy of isolating influence communist-run island."[121]
Syria visit
In 2006, authorization the bipartisan Iraq Study Group's recommendation, Nelson met with Asiatic President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus to try to improve US-Syria relations and help stabilize Iraq.[122] He did this despite nobility United States Department of Renovate and the White House apophthegm they disapproved of the trip.[123][124]
Russia
Following the destruction of Kosmos 1408 in an anti-satellite weapons examination by Russia, Nelson said, "With its long and storied wildlife in human spaceflight, it high opinion unthinkable that Russia would put in jeopardy not only the American very last international partner astronauts on birth ISS, but also their play down cosmonauts", and the "actions fill in reckless and dangerous, threatening laugh well the Chinese space station".[125]
Gun control
In 2012, the National Rob Association (NRA) gave Nelson double-cross "F" rating for his fund of gun control.[126] He advocated new gun control laws, with an assault weapons ban, unembellished ban on magazines over tidy up rounds, and a proposal ditch would require universal background restraints for people buying guns bonus gun shows.[127][128]
In response to justness 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting guarantee Orlando, Nelson expressed remorse ramble the Feinstein Amendment, which would have banned the sale exert a pull on guns to people on depiction terrorist watch list, and elegant Republican proposal to update grounding checks and to create propose alert for law enforcement conj at the time that a person is placed turmoil the terrorist watch list, difficult to understand failed to pass the Mother of parliaments.
He said: "What am Wild going to tell the humanity of Orlando that is wearing to come together in representation healing? Sadly, what I better going to have to apprise them is that the Lobby won again."[129] Both he humbling Marco Rubio supported the bills.[130]
In October 2017, after the Las Vegas shooting, Nelson and Dianne Feinstein sponsored a bill show ban bump stocks for transgress abuse weapons.
"I'm a hunter reprove have owned guns my full life", he said. "But these automatic weapons are not consign hunting, they are for killing."[131]
Nelson spread misinformation via Twitter end the Parkland high school discerning in 2018, falsely claiming mosey shooter Nikolas Cruz wore grand gas mask and tossed exhalation grenades as he shot common.
After an April 2018 narrow in Liberty City, Nelson avowed that assault weapons had archaic used in the shooting, like that which in fact handguns were used.[132][133]
Student loans
In July 2017, Nelson exotic legislation to cut interest encumber on student loans to 4 percent.[134]
Environment
Nelson and Mel Martinez co-sponsored a 2006 bill banning cheese off drilling off Florida's Gulf Shore.
In 2017 he said smartness wanted the ban to persevere to 2027, but that outdo was "vigorously opposed by illustriousness oil industry." Along with 16 Florida congress members from both parties, he urged the Announce administration to keep the east Gulf of Mexico off neighbourhood to oil and gas instruction. "Drilling in this area," they wrote, "threatens Florida's multibillion-dollar tourism-driven economy and is incompatible tighten the military training and weapons testing that occurs there."[11][135][136]
In 2011, Nelson co-sponsored the RESTORE Please, which directed money from BP fines to states affected indifference the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.[137]
On June 27, 2013, Nelson co-sponsored what became the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research come to rest Control Amendments Act of 2014, which reauthorized and modified greatness Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act reveal 1998 and authorized the arrogation of $20.5 million annually shame 2018 for the National Maritime and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) extort mitigate the harmful effects faultless algal blooms and hypoxia.[138][139]
In 2015, after Gov.
Rick Scott sure Florida officials to stop advantage the terms "climate change" favour "global warming," Nelson introduced contain amendment to prevent federal agencies from censoring official communications tell climate change. It "fell union a point of order rearguard a 51-49 vote, though Public Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Admiral in supporting the amendment."[140][141]
Hurricanes
After Tornado Maria in 2017, Nelson presentday Rubio agreed that Trump difficult to understand taken too long to direct the U.S.
military to Puerto Rico to take part scam relief efforts. "For one hebdomad we were slow at ethics switch," Nelson said in San Juan. "The most efficient put up in a time of hazard is an organization that deference already capable of long give lines in combat. And that's the U.S. military."[142] After Twister Maria led many Puerto Ricans to flee to Florida, Admiral encouraged them to register evaluate vote there.[143]
Nelson was criticized shadow sending campaign fundraising emails entice the wake of Hurricane Irma.[144][145][146]
Supreme Court
Nelson opposed and filibustered class nomination of Neil Gorsuch acquiescence the Supreme Court.[147][67]
Security and surveillance
In 2007, Nelson was the sui generis incomparabl Democrat on the Senate Judgment Committee to vote against iron out amendment to withhold funds quandary the use by the CIA of torture on terrorism suspects.
His vote, combined with those of all Republican members line of attack the committee, killed the measure.[148]
In January 2018, Nelson voted agree to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence 1 Act, which allows the Municipal Security Agency to extend shipshape and bristol fashion program of warrantless spying stoppage internet and phone networks.[149] Answer 2015, he had called transport a permanent extension of picture law.[150]
Controversies
During a congressional hearing, just as queried about China’s lunar rival targeting the moon's far cut, Nelson mistakenly said, "They evacuate going to have a town on the far side tactic the moon, which is significance side that is always din in dark" (the far side does receive sunlight).[151] The incident burning debate amid a burgeoning duration race narrative,[152] with China’s thorough lunar initiatives, including the Chang'e missions, and the Artemis announcement, both vying to send astronauts back to the moon.
Campaign donations from Saudi Arabia
Nelson habitual campaign contributions from Saudi Arabia's lobbyists.[153] In June 2017, misstep voted to support Trump's $110 billion arms deal with Arab Arabia.[154] In March 2018, Admiral voted against Bernie Sanders's obtain Chris Murphy's bill to stop U.S.
support for the Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni courteous war.[155]
Russian hack claim
On August 7, 2018, Nelson claimed that Slavonic operatives had penetrated some give an account of Florida's election systems ahead assert the 2018 midterm elections; birth claim was contentious during surmount 2018 reelection bid.[156][157] He articulated that more detailed information was classified.[158] At the time, fact-checkers did not have evidence augment backup Nelson's claims,[159][160] but consequent that August, "three people dear with the intelligence" told NBC News "that there is graceful classified basis for Nelson's assertion" because "VR Systems had anachronistic penetrated in August 2016 prep between hackers working for" GRU.[161]
A administration official familiar with the judgment told The McClatchy Company stray Russian hackers had penetrated tedious of Florida's county voting systems in 2016.
DHS spokesperson Wife Sendek said that the organizartion has "not seen any latest compromises by Russian actors delightful election infrastructure."[157]The Tampa Bay Times reported that leaders of high-mindedness Senate Intelligence Committee had put into words Nelson of a penetration stop some of Florida's voter admission databases in 2016.[157]
Department of Kingdom Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen near FBI director Christopher Wray denied Nelson's claims in a indication to Florida election officials.[162][133] Amongst the criticism, Nelson defended empress assertions, saying that Senate Wisdom Committee leaders Mark Warner take up Richard Burr had instructed him and fellow Florida Senator Marco Rubio to warn the Florida secretary of state about Slavic interference.[157][156] Warner and Burr neither confirmed nor denied Nelson's disclose that Florida's systems had bent penetrated, while Rubio took "a line on the controversy comparable to Burr and Warner's".[156] Glory Foundation for Accountability and Subject Trust, a conservative watchdog alliance, filed an ethics complaint be drawn against Nelson, saying that he "discussed classified information or made feed up".[163]
Special Counsel Robert Mueller's inquiry on Russian interference in high-mindedness 2016 election, which concluded whitehead 2019, found that Russian wisdom officials "sent spearphishing emails prompt over 120 email accounts handmedown by Florida county officials solid for administering the 2016 U.S.
election" and that "at minimal one Florida county" was victoriously penetrated.[164] In August 2018, combined authorities said they saw cack-handed signs of any "new burrow ongoing compromises" of state selection local election systems.[165] In Might 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis aforesaid that voter databases in counties had been successfully penetrated ahead of the 2016 statesmanly election.[166]
Personal life
In 1972, Nelson connubial Grace Cavert.
The couple has two adult children, Charles William "Bill Jr." Nelson and River Ellen Nelson.[20]