Bill Nelson (Florida)

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Bill Nelson
Prior offices:
U.S. Senate Florida
Year left office: 2019
Successor:Rick Scott (R)
Florida Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, Fire Marshall
Years in office: 1994 - 2000
U.S. House Florida District 11
Years in office: 1983 - 1991
U.S. House Florida District 9
Years in office: 1979 - 1983
Florida House of Representatives District 47
Years in office: 1972 - 1978
Compensation
Net worth
$3,757,502.50
Elections and appointments
Last election
November 6, 2018
Education
High school
Melbourne High School
Bachelor's
University of Florida, Yale University
Law
University of Virginia
Military
Service / branch
U.S. Army
Years of service
1965 - 1971
Personal
Religion
Christian
Contact

Bill Nelson (Democratic Party) was the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from 2021 to 2025. The Senate confirmed him on April 29, 2021.[1]

Nelson served in theU.S. Senate representing Florida from 2001 to 2019. He lost re-election in the 2018 U.S. Senate race againstRick Scott (R).

Nelson also served in theU.S. House of Representatives from 1978 to 1991 and theFlorida House of Representatives from 1972 to 1978.[2] Between 1994 and 2000 Nelson served as treasurer, insurance commissioner and fire marshall in the Florida Cabinet.[2]

Biography

Nelson was born in Miami and spent his youth in Melbourne,FL, where he attended Melbourne High School.

Nelson attended the University of Florida before transferring to Yale University. He subsequently received a law degree from the University of Virginia.[3]In 1965, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve; he served on active duty from 1968 to 1970, attaining the rank of captain, and he remained in the Army until 1971. Nelson was admitted to the Florida bar in 1968, and began practicing law in Melbourne in 1970.[3]

In 1986, Nelson became the second sitting member ofU.S. Congress (and the first member of theHouse) to travel into space. He went through NASA training with Senator Jake Garn ofUtah. He was a Payload Specialist on Space Shuttle Columbia's STS-61-C mission from January 12-18, 1986.

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Nelson's academic, professional, and political career:[4]

Elections

2018

See also:United States Senate election in Florida, 2018
See also:United States Senate election in Florida (August 28, 2018 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Florida

Rick Scott defeated incumbentBill Nelson in the general election for U.S. Senate Florida on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Rick Scott
Rick Scott (R)
 
50.1
 
4,099,505
Image of Bill Nelson
Bill Nelson (D)
 
49.9
 
4,089,472
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
1,028

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 8,190,005
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Florida

IncumbentBill Nelson advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Florida on August 28, 2018.

Candidate
✔
Image of Bill Nelson
Bill Nelson

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Florida

Rick Scott defeatedRoque De La Fuente in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Florida on August 28, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Rick Scott
Rick Scott
 
88.6
 
1,456,187
Image of Roque De La Fuente
Roque De La Fuente
 
11.4
 
187,209

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,643,396
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2012

See also:United States Senate elections in Florida, 2012
To view the full congressional electoral history for Bill Nelson, click [show] to expand the section.
 

2006

On November 7, 2006, Bill Nelson won re-election to theUnited States Senate. He defeated Katherine Harris (R), Belinda Noah (I), Brian Moore (I), Floyd Ray Frazier (I), Roy Tanner, Lawrence Scott (I) and Bernard Senter (I) in the general election.[5]

U.S. Senate, Florida, General Election, 2006
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    DemocraticGreen check mark transparent.pngBill Nelsonincumbent60.4%2,890,548
    Republican Katherine Harris38.2%1,826,127
    Independent Belinda Noah0.3%16,628
    Independent Brian Moore0.4%19,695
    Independent Floyd Ray Frazier0.3%16,628
    Independent Roy Tanner0.3%15,562
    Independent Lawrence Scott0%78
    Independent Bernard Senter0%16
Total Votes4,785,282

2000

On November 7, 2000, Bill Nelson won election to theUnited States Senate. He defeated Bill McCollum (R), Willie Logan (I), Darrell L. McCormick (I), Andy Martin (I), Joe Simonetta (Natural Law), Joel Deckard (Reform) in the general election.[6]

U.S. Senate, Florida, General Election, 2000
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    DemocraticGreen check mark transparent.pngBill Nelson51%2,989,487
    Republican Bill McCollum46.2%2,705,348
    Independent Willie Logan1.4%80,830
    Independent Darrell L. McCormick0.4%21,664
    Independent Andy Martin0.3%15,889
    Natural Law Joe Simonetta0.4%26,087
    Reform Joel Deckard0.3%17,338
    Independent Write-in0%88
Total Votes5,856,731


U.S. Senate, Florida General Election, 2012
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    DemocraticGreen check mark transparent.pngBill NelsonIncumbent55.2%4,523,451
    Republican Connie Mack42.2%3,458,267
    Independent Bill Gaylor1.5%126,079
    Independent Chris Borgia1%82,089
    N/A Write-ins0%60
Total Votes8,189,946
Source:Florida Election Watch "U.S. Senator"

Campaign themes

2018

Campaign website

Nelson's campaign website stated the following:


“

Creating Jobs for Florida’s Future

The future of Florida remains bright if we invest in high-paying jobs, education and training our workers.

Bill Nelson is working to build a future that works by investing in programs and industries in Florida that create well-paying jobs and careers. As demand continues to grow for workers who have science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills and technology advances into automation, employees are forced to retrain and reskill for new jobs, which is why Bill has led efforts to invest in these programs and higher education.

“The world is changing and we need to change with it. We need to do everything we can to create additional jobs and opportunities for millions of hardworking people.”

— BILL NELSON

To help workers and businesses navigate changes in the economy, he introduced the Economic Modernization Act to assist Floridians affected by automation and globalization. Bill is pushing Congress to invest in ways to keep Florida working in the future including tax credits for workers looking to change careers or transition into modernized industries and enhance education-related tax breaks to encourage people to pursue industries in short supply of skilled workers.

Bill has worked to ensure the United States trains more STEM-skilled workers to prepare students for careers of the future and help Florida workers transition to a new economy.

Protecting Florida’s Environment

Florida is ground zero for the impacts of climate change and sea level rise – from tidal flooding in Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota to the devastation caused by hurricanes in communities across Florida – we need leaders who will protect our state.

Bill Nelson stands up to big polluters and corporations to fight and protect Floridians from the growing dangers of climate change.

Bill championed legislative efforts to ensure our scientists can study climate change, free from political interference or censorship, and is at the forefront of efforts in the Senate to help Florida communities invest in the infrastructure needed to create more resilient coastlines to prepare for rising sea levels. He is leading the push to help renewable energy companies grow across Florida, while making it easier for homeowners to invest in solar installations.

“As long as I’m a Senator, there will never be oil rigs off Florida’s coasts.”

— BILL NELSON

Bill is a champion of protecting Florida’s coasts and beaches from the risks of offshore oil drilling.

In 2006, he passed bipartisan legislation to ban oil and gas activities off Florida’s Gulf Coast. Bill has continued this fight in Congress, seeking to extend the moratorium and calling for greater protections for our entire coastline, including our beaches and local economies along the Gulf and Atlantic Coast.

Guaranteeing Access To Health Care

From protecting Medicare and Medicaid from cuts to working to keep drug prices low to ensuring Floridians with preexisting conditions have access to health care, Bill Nelson has been a tireless champion for Floridians.

As the Affordable Care Act faces new threats and Congress tries to sabotage the law that has helped millions of Floridians get health care, Bill is leading efforts to ensure those with preexisting conditions are not denied health care coverage. He has been on the frontlines to keep health care premiums low, especially as Congress works to repeal the health care law and drive up prices. Bill works across the aisle on solutions, such as a reinsurance fund to help stabilize the marketplace and reduce health care premiums.

When Floridians see the price of their prescription drugs rise, Bill fights to keep and improve the Affordable Care Act and to close the gap for Medicare coverage, also known as the donut hole, to lower costs for Florida’s seniors.

"I've fought to keep protections for Floridians with preexisting conditions and attempts to the sabotage the law that has helped millions of Floridians get health care."

– BILL NELSON

Bill Nelson is working every single day to improve access to health care, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which provides thousands of Florida children access to affordable care.

Nelson was a lead sponsor of legislation to extend funding for CHIP and fiercely advocated for full funding of the program to help Florida kids.

Educating For The Future

Bill Nelson believes in investing in the future of Florida – our teachers, our students and our schools.

A firm believer that all children deserve a quality public education regardless of their zip code or family’s income, Bill Nelson is a steadfast supporter of our students, teachers and public schools. He promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning beginning in early elementary school to begin preparing our students and readying our economy for jobs of the future with about 26 million U.S. jobs, or 20 percent of our workforce, requiring STEM skills. He co-authored the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act that authorized several programs to improve gender, racial and socioeconomic diversity in STEM education and in the federal workforce.

“If we really want to build a strong middle class, we have to make higher education affordable for our students. I've fought to cap interest rates and fees to help make education more affordable for our students and ease the financial stress that’s weighing down our economy.”

– BILL NELSON

Bill advocates for career and technical training and job readiness programs for our future workforce.

For those who continue on to our colleges and universities, he has pushed to reduce student loan debt, to increase access to Pell grants, and stood up to for-profit colleges which do not prepare our students. Bill introduced legislation to ensure student loan interest rates never go higher than 4 percent and to allow others to refinance their loans at the new lower rates. With the average Florida graduate facing more than $24,000 in student loan debt, Bill is fighting to ensure our students are not priced out of a better future for them and their families.

In the Senate, he is a strong supporter of public higher education from state colleges to our historically black colleges and universities and secured funding for key programs and facilities.

Keeping Consumers Safe

From holding multi-billion dollar corporations accountable to cracking down on criminal fraudsters, Bill Nelson is a leader in protecting consumers.When companies have collected and used consumers’ personally identifiable information for their own profit or violated privacy rules, Bill has called for investigations, led congressional hearings to ensure technology companies and other corporations are honoring and respecting the privacy of American consumers and securing their data.

"I've worked to hold companies accountable for failing to safeguard data or inform consumers when that information has been stolen by hackers, refusing to kowtow to special interests who stand in the way of consumer protections. When it comes to doing what’s best for consumers, I stand with consumers."

– BILL NELSON

Bill is leading comprehensive data security legislation that would protect consumers’ personal information and ensure they have control over how their information is collected and used.

In putting consumers first, he has fought to protect Floridians from dangerous products on the shelves and keep automobiles with safety defects off the roads. As a champion of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, Bill is working to hold auto company executives accountable when they hide flaws and safety defects from the public. And as the world moves toward automation and autonomous vehicles, Bill helped craft a regulatory framework that ensures manufacturers prioritize safety and properly communicate the capabilities of the vehicles.

Working for Florida’s Seniors

Bill Nelson is a champion for Florida’s seniors, always working to protect the things seniors have spent their lives working for and deserve as he’s fought tirelessly to prevent cuts to Medicare and Social Security.

After the passage of the Republican tax bill that gave tax cuts to corporations and drove up the country’s national debt, programs like Medicare and Social Security are under attack, but Bill is standing up to the Republican leadership in Congress to protect health care and financial security for our seniors.

“We must keep our promise to older Americans who have worked hard and paid into Social Security and Medicare and work to preserve them for future generations. I've always fought to protect the retirement and health security these vital programs provide and I always will.”

— BILL NELSON

As seniors face rising drug prices, he is leading the fight in Congress to lower drug costs for older Americans and urged Senate leaders to close the gap in Medicare’s prescription drug coverage, known as the “donut hole,” by 2019 to help lower drug prices for Florida seniors.

More older Americans are seeing their Social Security benefits taken to pay for federal debts, like student loans. After working for years for these benefits and working to pay off student loans, Florida seniors are facing new cuts to their benefits. Bill introduced legislation and is working to protect Social Security, because this is a promise our country made to help care for older Americans.[7]

”
—Nelson for U.S. Senate[8]


Campaign advertisements

The following is an example of an ad from Nelson's 2018 election campaign.

"Oath" - Nelson campaign ad, released August 29, 2018

Committee assignments

U.S. Senate

2017-2018

At the beginning of the115th Congress, Nelson was assigned to the following committees:[9]

2015-2016

Nelson served on the following committees:[10]

2013-2014

Nelson serves on the following Senate committees[11]

2011-2012

Key votes

See also:Key votes

Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, clickhere.

Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018

For detailed information about each vote, clickhere.

  • Votes on domestic policy (click to expand)

    VotedYea on: First Step Act of 2018 (S 756)

    Yes check.svg Motion Agreed to (87-12) on December 18, 2018
    Proposed making changes to the criminal justice system.[13]

    VotedYea on: Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (HR 2)

    Yes check.svg Conference Report Agreed to (87-13) on December 11, 2018
    Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance through fiscal year 2023.[14]

    VotedNay on: "Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States" (PN2259)

    Yes check.svg Nomination Confirmed (50-48) on October 6, 2018
    Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States[15]

    VotedNay on: "Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States" (PN2259)

    Yes check.svg Cloture Motion Agreed to (51-49) on October 5, 2018
    Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States[16]

    VotedYea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2)

    Yes check.svg Bill Passed (86-11, 3/5 majority required) on June 28, 2018
    Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance.[17]

    VotedNay on: Immigration reform proposal from Sen. Chuck Grassley and the Trump administration (S Amdt 1959 to HR 2579)

    Red x.svg Cloture Motion Rejected (39-60, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018
    Proposed providing a path to citizenship for 1.8 million individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children, $25 billion for border security, limits on chain migration or family-based migration, and eliminating the visa lottery system.[18]

    VotedYea on: Immigration reform proposal from the Common Sense Coalition (S Amdt 1958 to HR 2579)

    Red x.svg Cloture Motion Rejected (54-45, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018
    Proposed providing a path to citizenship for individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children, $25 billion for border security, and limitations on chain or family-based immigration.[19]

    VotedNay on: Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act amendment (S Amdt 1948 to S Amdt 1959)

    Red x.svg Cloture Motion Rejected (54-45, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018
    Proposed withholding funding from sanctuary jurisdictions for not cooperating with federal immigration officials.[20]

    VotedYea on: Coons-McCain immigration plan (S Amdt 1955 to S Amdt 1958)

    Red x.svg Cloture Motion Rejected (52-47, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018
    Proposed providing a path to citizenship for individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children and conducting a study to determine what border security measures were needed. It also proposed requiring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to secure the U.S.-Mexico border by 2021.[21]

    Did not vote on: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S 2311)

    Red x.svg Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (51-46, 3/5 majority required) on January 29, 2018
    Proposed amending the federal criminal code to make it a crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus was 20 weeks or more. The bill proposed providing exceptions for an abortion: (1) that was necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.[22]

    VotedNay on: An amendment to repeal the requirements for individuals to enroll in health insurance and for employers to offer it—"Skinny bill" (S Amdt 667 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628 the American Health Care Act of 2017)

    Red x.svg Amendment Rejected (49-51) on July 28, 2017
    The amendment proposed repealing the requirements for individuals to enroll in health insurance and for employers to offer it.[23]

    VotedNay on: An amendment to repeal the ACA, including Paul amendment (No. 271) (S Amdt 271 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628)

    Red x.svg Amendment Rejected (45-55) on July 26, 2017
    An amendment to repeal the ACA, including Paul amendment (No. 271)[24]

    VotedNay on: Motion to advance the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, including Cruz and Portman amendments (S Amdt 270 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628)

    Red x.svg Motion Rejected (43-57, 3/5 majority required) on July 25, 2017
    A procedural vote to advance the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 (BCRA), including the Cruz and Portman amendments.[25]

    VotedNay on: Motion to begin debate on the American Health Care Act of 2017 (HR 1628)

    Yes check.svg Motion to Proceed Agreed to (50-50, Vice President voted Yea) on July 25, 2017
    Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017.[26]

    VotedNay on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(4)—confirmation vote)

    Yes check.svg Nomination Confirmed (54-45) on April 7, 2017
    Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—confirmation vote.[27]

    VotedNay on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(3))

    Yes check.svg Cloture Motion Agreed to (55-45) on April 6, 2017
    Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—second vote to end debate and move to a vote on Gorsuch's nomination under the new precedent requiring only a simple majority to pass.[28]


    VotedYea on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(2))

    Red x.svg Decision of Chair Not Sustained (48-52) on April 6, 2017
    Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—a vote to keep the Senate precedent of requiring 60 votes to close debate on Supreme Court nominations.[29]

    VotedNay on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55)

    Red x.svg Cloture Motion Rejected (55-45, 3/5 majority required) on April 6, 2017
    Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—initial vote to end debate and move to a vote on Gorsuch's nomination.[30]

  • Votes on economic affairs and regulations (click to expand)

    VotedYea on: "Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 6157)

    Yes check.svg Conference Report Agreed to (93-7) on September 18, 2018Signed by President
    Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.[31]

    Did not vote on: "Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 5895)

    Yes check.svg Conference Report Agreed to (92-5) on September 12, 2018Signed by President
    Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.[32]

    VotedYea on: "Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 6157)

    Yes check.svg Bill Passed (85-7) on August 23, 2018
    Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.[33]

    VotedYea on: "Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 5895)

    Yes check.svg Bill Passed (86-5) on June 25, 2018
    Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.[34]

    VotedYea on: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1625)

    Yes check.svg Motion Agreed to (65-32) on March 23, 2018Signed by President
    Proposed providing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.[35]

    VotedYea on: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (HR 1892)

    Yes check.svg Motion Agreed to (71-28) on February 9, 2018Signed by President
    Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through March 23, 2018[36]

    VotedYea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 695)

    Red x.svg Cloture Motion Rejected (55-44, 3/5 majority required) on February 8, 2018
    Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through March 23, 2018.[37]

    VotedYea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)

    Yes check.svg Motion Agreed to (81-18) on January 22, 2018Signed by President
    Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018.[38]

    VotedYea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)

    Yes check.svg Cloture Motion Agreed to (81-18, 3/5 majority required) on January 22, 2018
    Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018.[39]

    VotedNay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)

    Red x.svg Cloture Motion Rejected (50-49, 3/5 majority required) on January 19, 2018
    Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018.[40]

    VotedYea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1370)

    Yes check.svg Motion Agreed to (66-32, 3/5 majority required) on December 21, 2017Signed by President
    Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018.[41]

    VotedNay on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

    Yes check.svg Motion Agreed to (51-48) on December 20, 2017Signed by President
    Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018 and proposed changes to the tax code.[42]

    VotedYea on: "A joint resolution making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes." (HJ Res 123)

    Yes check.svg Joint Resolution Passed (81-14) on December 7, 2017Signed by President
    Proposed funding the government until December 22, 2017.[43]

    VotedNay on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

    Yes check.svg Bill Passed (51-49) on December 2, 2017
    Proposed amending the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates and modify policies, credits, and deductions for individuals and businesses.[44]

    VotedNay on: A concurrent resolution establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)

    Yes check.svg Concurrent Resolution Agreed to (51-49) on October 19, 2017
    Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027.[45]

    VotedYea on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (Included amendments to suspend the debt ceiling and fund the government) (HR 601)

    Yes check.svg Motion Agreed to (80-17) on September 7, 2017Signed by President
    Proposed suspending the debt ceiling and funding the government until December 8, 2017, and providing funding for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma relief efforts.[46]

    VotedYea on: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (HR 244)

    Yes check.svg Motion Agreed to (79-18) on May 4, 2017Signed by President
    The $1.2 trillion budget bill proposed funding the government through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2017.[47]

  • Votes on foreign policy and national security issues (click to expand)

    VotedYea on: "A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress." (SJ Res 54)

    Yes check.svg Joint Resolution Passed (56-41) on December 13, 2018
    Proposed removing United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that were not authorized by Congress.[48]

    VotedYea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 2810)

    Yes check.svg Bill Passed (89-8) on September 18, 2017
    Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, and to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. On November 15, 2017, the Senate passed the defense policy bill by voice vote. This bill was the result of compromises made in the conference report. For more information on the compromise bill,click here.[49][50]

    VotedYea on: Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (HR 3364)

    Yes check.svg Bill Passed (98-2) on July 27, 2017Signed by President
    Proposed providing congressional review and proposed countering aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.[51]

    VotedYea on: Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017 (S 722)

    Yes check.svg Bill Passed (98-2) on June 15, 2017
    Proposed providing congressional review and proposed countering aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.[52]

Key votes: Previous sessions of Congress

Key votes

114th Congress

CongressLogo.png

The first session of the114th Congress enacted into law six out of the 2,616 introduced bills (0.2 percent). Comparatively, the113th Congress had 1.3 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the first session. In the second session, the114th Congress enacted 133 out of 3,159 introduced bills (4.2 percent). Comparatively, the113th Congress had 7.0 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[53][54] The Senate confirmed 18,117 out of 21,815 executive nominations received (83 percent). For more information pertaining to Nelson's voting record in the 114th Congress, please see the below sections.[55]

Economic and fiscal

Trade Act of 2015
See also:The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, 2015

Yea3.png On May 22, 2015, theSenate passedHR 1314, which was used as a legislative vehicle for trade legislation with the titles "Trade Act of 2015" and the "Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015," by a vote of 62-37. The bill proposed giving the presidenttrade promotion authority (TPA). TPA, also known as fast track authority, allows the president to negotiate trade deals that cannot be amended byCongress. Congress casts a simple up or down vote on a trade agreement, and the legislation only requires a simple majority for approval. The bill also included a statement of trade priorities and provisions fortrade adjustment assistance. Nelson voted with 13 otherDemocraticsenators to approve the bill.[56][57]
Trade promotion authority
Yea3.png On June 24, 2015, by a vote of 60-38, theSenate approvedtrade promotion authority (TPA) as part ofHR 2146 - Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act. Nelson was one of 13Democrats to vote in favor of the bill. After, SenateRepublican leadership honored a pledge to supporttrade adjustment assistance (TAA) by passing the measure as part ofHR 1295 - Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 by voice vote. TheHouse passed HR 1295 the following day, on June 25, 2015, and both TPA and TAA were signed into law on June 29, 2015.[58][59][60]

2016 Budget proposal

Nay3.png On May 5, 2015, theSenate voted to approveSConRes11, a congressional budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, by a vote of 51-48. The non-binding resolution will be used to create 12 appropriations bills to fund the government before funding runs out on October 1, 2015. The vote marked the first time since 2009 thatCongress approved a joint budget resolution. All 44Democrats, including Nelson, voted against the resolution.[61][62][63]

Defense spending authorization

Yea3.png On November 10, 2015, theSenate passedS 1356 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 by a vote of 91-3. The second version of the $607 billion national defense bill included "$5 billion in cuts to match what was approved in the budget" and language preventing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison.[64][65] Nelson voted with 41Democrats, 48Republicans and one independent in favor of the bill.[66] On November 5, 2015, theHouse passed the bill by a vote of 370-58, and PresidentBarack Obama signed it into law on November 25, 2015.[67]

Nay3.png On June 18, 2015, theSenate passedHR 1735 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 by a vote of 71-25. The bill "authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation." Nelson voted with 21Democrats, twoRepublicans and one Independent against the bill.[68] TheHouse passed the bill on May 15, 2015.[69] PresidentBarack Obamavetoed the bill on October 22, 2015.[70]

2015 budget

Yea3.png On October 30, 2015, theSenate passedHR 1314 - Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 by a vote of 64-35. The bill increased military and domestic spending levels and suspended the debt ceiling until March 2017.[71] Nelson voted with 43Democrats, 18Republicans and two independents in favor of the bill.[72] It passed theHouse on October 28, 2015.[73] PresidentBarack Obama signed it into law on November 2, 2015.

Foreign Affairs

Iran nuclear deal
See also:Iran nuclear agreement, 2015

Yea3.png On May 7, 2015, theSenate voted to approveHR 1191 - A bill to provide for congressional review and oversight of agreements relating to Iran's nuclear program, and for other purposes, by a vote of 98-1. The bill required PresidentBarack Obama to submit the details of the nuclear deal with Iran for congressional review.Congress had 60 days to review the deal and vote to approve, disapprove or take no action on the deal. During the review period, sanctions on Iran could not be lifted. All 43Democraticsenators who voted, including Nelson, approved the bill.[74][75]


Hire More Heroes Act of 2015
Nay3.png On September 10, 2015, theSenate voted tofilibuster the measure to disapprove of theIran nuclear deal by a vote of 58-42.[76] Sixty votes were needed to proceed toHJ Res 61 - the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015, the legislative vehicle the Senate was expected to use to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal. Nelson voted with 39Democrats and two Independents against proceeding to the measure of disapproval.[77]


Hire More Heroes Act of 2015 follow up votes
Nay3.png On September 15, 2015, theSenate voted for a second time tofilibuster the measure to disapprove of theIran nuclear deal by a vote of 56-42.[78] Sixty votes were needed to proceed toHJ Res 61 - the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015, the legislative vehicle the Senate was expected to use to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal. Nelson voted with 39Democrats and two Independents against proceeding to the measure of disapproval.[79] The legislation was voted on for a third time on September 17, and it failed for a third time by a vote of 56-42.[80]


Hire More Heroes Act of 2015 fourth vote
Nay3.png On September 17, 2015, theSenate voted tofilibuster a vote onS.Amdt.2656 to S.Amdt.2640 by a vote of 53-45. The amendment proposed prohibiting "the President from waiving, suspending, reducing, providing relief from, or otherwise limiting the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran."[81] Nelson voted with 42Democrats and two Independents against proceeding to the amendment.[82]

Domestic

USA FREEDOM Act of 2015

Yea3.png On June 2, 2015, theSenate passedHR 2048 - the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015 or the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015 by a vote of 67-32. The legislation revisedHR 3199 - the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 by terminating the bulk collection of metadata under Sec. 215 of the act, requiring increased reporting from theForeign Intelligence Surveillance Court and requiring the use of "a specific selection term as the basis for national security letters that request information from wire or electronic communication service providers, financial institutions, or consumer reporting agencies." Nelson voted with 42Democrats, 23Republicans and oneIndependent to approve the legislation. It became law on June 2, 2015.[83][84]

Cyber security

Yea3.png On October 27, 2015, theSenate passedS 754 - the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 by a vote of 74-21.[85] The bill proposed procedures that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. Nelson voted with 29Democrats, 43Republicans and one independent in favor of the bill.[86]

Immigration

Nay3.png On October 20, 2015, theSenate voted against proceeding to a vote onS 2146 - the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act by a vote of 54-45. The bill proposed withholding federal funding from "sanctuary jurisdictions" that violate the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 and other federal immigration laws. In addition, the bill proposed increasing "penalties for individuals who illegally reenter the United States after being removed" and providing "liability protection for State and local law enforcement who cooperate with Federal law enforcement."[87] Nelson voted with 41Democrats, oneRepublican and two Independents against proceeding to the bill.[88]

113th Congress

The second session of the113th Congress enacted into law 224 out of the 3215 introduced bills (7 percent). Comparatively, the112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[89] The Senate confirmed 13,949 out of 18,323 executive nominations received (76.1 percent). For more information pertaining to Nelson's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[90]

National security

John Brennan CIA nomination

Yea3.png Nelson voted for the confirmation of John Brennan as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 7, 2013, with a vote of 63 - 34. Most Democrats supported the nomination, while Republicans were somewhat divided with roughly one-third supporting the nomination.[91]

Economy

Farm bill

Yea3.png On February 4, 2014, theDemocratic controlledSenate approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013,H.R. 2642, also known as theFarm Bill.[92] It passed theSenate with a vote of 68-32. The nearly 1,000-page bill reformed and continued various programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that will kick in if or when prices drop; however, cuts to the food stamp program cut an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.[93] Nelson joined with 46 otherDemocraticsenators in favor of the bill.

2014 Budget

Yea3.png On January 16, 2014, theDemocratic-controlledSenate approvedH.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.[94][95] TheSenate voted 72-26 for the 1,582 page bill, with 17Republicans and 55Democrats voting in favor of the bill.[95] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.[96] It included a 1 percent increase in the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel, a $1 billion increase in Head Start funding for early childhood education, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency and left theAffordable Care Act without any drastic cuts. Nelson voted with theDemocratic Party in favor of the bill.[94][95]

Government shutdown

See also:United States budget debate, 2013

Yea3.png During the shutdown in October 2013, theSenate rejected, down party lines, every House-originated bill that stripped the budget of funding for the Affordable Care Act. A deal was reached late on October 16, 2013, just hours before the debt ceiling deadline. The bill to reopen the government, H.R. 2775, lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made bySenate Democrats was to require income verification forObamacare subsidies.[97] The final vote on H.R. 2775 was 81-18, with all 18 votes against the bill fromRepublican members. Nelson voted with theDemocratic Party for the bill.[98]

No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013

Yea3.png Nelson voted for H.R.325 -- No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013. The bill passed the Senate on January 31, 2013, with a vote of 64 - 34. The purpose of the bill was to temporarily suspend the debt ceiling and withhold the pay of members of Congress until a budget could be passed. The vote largely followed party lines with Democrats overwhelmingly supporting it and many Republicans in opposition to the bill.[91]

Immigration

Mexico-U.S. border

Nay3.png Nelson voted against Senate Amendment 1197 -- Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border. The amendment was rejected by the Senate on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 39 - 54. The purpose of the amendment was to require the completion of 350 miles of fence described in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 before registered provisional immigrant status may be granted. It would also require 700 miles of fence be completed before the status of registered provisional immigrants may be changed to permanent resident status. The vote followed party lines.[91]

Social issues

Violence Against Women (2013)

Yea3.png Nelson voted for S.47 -- Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. The bill was passed by the Senate on February 12, 2013, with a vote of 78 - 22. The purpose of the bill was to combat violence against women, from domestic violence to international trafficking in persons. All 22 dissenting votes were cast by Republicans.[91]

Previous congressional sessions

Fiscal Cliff

Yea3.pngNelson voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. The bill was passed in the Senate by an 89 - 8 vote on January 1, 2013.[99]

Issues

Presidential preference

2016 presidential endorsement

✓ Nelson endorsedHillary Clinton for the Democratic primary in the 2016 U.S.presidential election.[100]

See also:Endorsements for Hillary Clinton
2016 Presidential Endorsements by U.S. Senators
State Sen.CandidateDateSource
IndependentAngus KingDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonJuly 2016Politico
Democratic PartyElizabeth WarrenDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonJune 2016The Boston Globe
Democratic PartyBob MenendezDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonMay 2016Philly.com
Republican PartyRoy BluntRepublican PartyDonald TrumpMay 2016The Atlantic
Republican PartyRichard BurrRepublican PartyDonald TrumpMay 2016IndyWeek.com
Republican PartyMitch McConnellRepublican PartyDonald TrumpMay 2016Politico
Republican PartyCory GardnerRepublican PartyTed CruzApril 2016The Hill
Republican PartyPat ToomeyRepublican PartyTed CruzApril 2016The Morning Call
Democratic PartyJeff MerkleyDemocratic PartyBernie SandersApril 2016The New York Times
Republican Party Mike Lee (Utah)Republican PartyTed CruzMarch 2016Politico
Republican PartyLamar AlexanderRepublican PartyMarco RubioFebruary 2016Politico
Republican PartyJeff SessionsRepublican PartyDonald TrumpFebruary 2016Politico
Democratic PartyHarry ReidDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonFebruary 2016Politico
Republican PartyDan CoatsRepublican PartyMarco RubioFebruary 2016Bloomberg
Republican PartyDean HellerRepublican PartyMarco RubioFebruary 2016Politico
Republican PartyTim ScottRepublican PartyMarco RubioFebruary 2016NBC News
Democratic PartyRon WydenDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonJanuary 2016The Oregonian
Democratic PartyJack ReedDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonNovember 2015Providence Journal
Democratic PartyHeidi HeitkampDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonOctober 2015The Huffington Post
Democratic PartyEd MarkeyDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonNovember 2015WBUR
Democratic PartyGary PetersDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonMay 2015The Hill
Democratic PartyMichael BennetDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonMay 2015The Hill
Democratic PartyBob Casey, Jr.Democratic PartyHillary ClintonApril 2015CBS Pittsburgh
Democratic PartyTom UdallDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonApril 2015Albuquerque Journal
Democratic PartyJeanne ShaheenDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonNovember 2015WMUR
Democratic PartyBrian SchatzDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonFebruary 2015Honolulu Civil Beat
Democratic PartyMazie HironoDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonNovember 2015CNN
Democratic PartyAl FrankenDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonDecember 2014The Huffington Post
Democratic PartyMark WarnerDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonJuly 2014The Hill
Democratic PartyMartin HeinrichDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonJuly 2014New Mexico Telegram
Democratic PartyPatrick LeahyDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonJune 2014Vermont Public Radio
Democratic PartyDick DurbinDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonMay 2014Politico
Democratic PartyAmy KlobucharDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonJune 2014Politico
Democratic PartyDebbie StabenowDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonMay 2014CNN
Democratic PartyTim KaineDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonMay 2014The Washington Post
Democratic PartySheldon WhitehouseDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonJanuary 2014The New York Times
Democratic PartyChris Murphy (Connecticut)Democratic PartyHillary ClintonJune 2015The Connecticut Mirror
Democratic PartyRichard BlumenthalDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonJune 2014WestportNow.com
Democratic PartyJoe Manchin IIIDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonJanuary 2014Politico
Democratic PartyMaria CantwellDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonJanuary 2014The New York Times
Democratic PartyTammy BaldwinDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonJanuary 2014The New York Times
Democratic PartyDianne FeinsteinDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonDecember 2013MSNBC
Democratic PartyKirsten GillibrandDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonAugust 2014People
Democratic PartyPatty MurrayDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonNovember 2013Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Democratic PartyChuck SchumerDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonNovember 2013The Washington Post
Democratic PartyBarbara BoxerDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonOctober 2013ABC News
Democratic PartyClaire McCaskillDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonJune 2013Politico
Republican PartyJim InhofeRepublican PartyMarco RubioJanuary 2016Politico
Republican PartyRob PortmanRepublican PartyJohn Kasich (primary)
Republican PartyDonald Trump (general)		August 2016The Columbia Dispatch
Republican PartyThad CochranRepublican PartyJeb BushDecember 2015USA Today
Republican PartyJohn BoozmanRepublican PartyMike HuckabeeSeptember 2015Politico
Republican PartyMike RoundsRepublican PartyMike HuckabeeSeptember 2015Politico
Republican PartyOrrin HatchRepublican PartyJeb BushAugust 2015Deseret News
Republican PartySusan CollinsRepublican PartyJeb BushJuly 2015Portland Press Herald
Republican PartyJohn McCainRepublican PartyLindsey Graham (primary)January 2015Bloomberg.com
Democratic PartyBill Nelson (Florida)Democratic PartyHillary ClintonNovember 2015Miami Herald
Democratic PartyBarbara MikulskiDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonNovember 2015Baltimore Sun
Democratic PartyBen CardinDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonNovember 2015Baltimore Sun
Democratic PartyChris CoonsDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonNovember 2015CNN
Republican PartyJim RischRepublican PartyMarco RubioNovember 2015Politico
Republican PartySteve DainesRepublican PartyMarco RubioNovember 2015The Huffington Post
Democratic PartySherrod BrownDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonOctober 2015MSNBC
Democratic PartyTom CarperDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonOctober 2015Roll Call
Democratic PartyCory BookerDemocratic PartyHillary ClintonJune 2015NBC News

National security

American response in Syria

See also:United States involvement in Syria

Nelson released a statement on September 1, 2013, following President Barack Obama's decision to seekCongress' approval to take military action in Syria.[101]

"The president wants to put to rest any doubt the American people may have," Nelson said. "I support the president's decision. But as far as I'm concerned, we should strike in Syria today. The use of chemical weapons was inhumane, and those responsible should be forced to suffer the consequences."[101]

Social issues

Gay Marriage

Bill Nelson previously expressed the opinion that a marriage was between a man and a woman, but supported civil rights efforts for same-sex couples.[102] On April 4, 2013, Nelson reversed his prior opinion on same-sex marriage, speaking out in favor.[103] He became the 51stSenator to speak out in support of same-sex marriage.[103]

In a statement to theTampa Bay Times, Nelson cited his faith as a reason for changing his standing on the issue, saying, "It is generally accepted in American law and U.S. society today... that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. I believe that. The civil rights and responsibilities for one must pertain to all. Thus, to discriminate against one class and not another is wrong for me. If we are endowed by our Creator with rights, then why shouldn't those be attainable by Gays and Lesbians? Simply put, if The Lord made homosexuals as well as heterosexuals, why should I discriminate against their civil marriage? I shouldn't, and I won't. So I will add my name to the petition ofsenators asking the Supreme Court to declare the law that prohibits gay marriage unconstitutional."[104]

Campaign finance summary

Ballotpedia LogoNote: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf.Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at theFEC website. Clickhere for more on federal campaign finance law andhere for more on state campaign finance law.

Bill Nelson campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2018U.S. Senate FloridaLost general$34,102,191 $33,367,570
2012U.S. Senate (Florida)Won$16,803,512 N/A**
2006U.S. Senate (Florida)Won$18,031,681 N/A**
2000U.S. Senate (Florida)Won$6,537,346 N/A**
Grand total$75,474,730 $33,367,570
Sources:OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Personal Gain Index

Congressional Personal Gain Index graphic.png
See also:Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)

ThePersonal Gain Index (U.S. Congress) is a two-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of theU.S. Congress have prospered during their tenure as public servants.
It consists of two different metrics:

PGI: Change in net worth

See also:Changes in Net Worth of U.S. Senators and Representatives (Personal Gain Index) andNet worth of United States Senators and Representatives
Net Worth Metric graphic.png

Based oncongressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available byOpenSecrets.org, Nelson's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $1,465,005 and $6,050,000. That averages to$3,757,502.50, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic senators in 2012 of $13,566,333. Nelson ranked as the 36th most wealthy senator in 2012.[105] Between 2004 and 2012, Nelson's calculated net worth[106] decreased by an average of 4 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.[107]

Bill Nelson Yearly Net Worth
YearAverage Net Worth
2004$5,365,507
2012$3,757,502
Growth from 2004 to 2012:−30%
Average annual growth:−4%[108]
Comparatively, theAmerican citizen experienced a median yearlydecline in net worth of-0.94%.[109]

The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership, and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.

PGI: Donation Concentration Metric

See also:The Donation Concentration Metric (U.S. Congress Personal Gain Index)

Filings required by theFederal Election Commission report on the industries that give to each candidate. Using campaign filings and information calculated byOpenSecrets.org, Ballotpedia calculated the percentage of donations by industry received by each incumbent over the course of his or her career (or 1989 and later, if elected prior to 1988). In the113th Congress, Nelson is the Chair of theUnited States Senate Committee on Aging. Nelson received the most donations from individuals and PACs employed by theLawyers/Law Firms industry.

From 1999-2014,31.29 percent of Nelson's career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.[110]

Donation Concentration Metric graphic.png
Bill Nelson (Florida) Campaign Contributions
Total Raised$41,738,023
Total Spent$40,857,574
Chair of theUnited States Senate Committee on Aging
Top five industries that contributed to campaign committee
Lawyers/Law Firms$6,727,199
Retired$2,156,790
Real Estate$1,839,361
Health Professionals$1,171,963
Securities & Investment$1,164,631
% total in top industry16.12%
% total in top two industries21.29%
% total in top five industries31.29%

Analysis

Ideology and leadership

See also:GovTrack's Political Spectrum & Legislative Leadership ranking

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship byGovTrack, Nelson was a "centrist Democrat," as of July 21, 2014.[111] Nelson was rated as a "rank-and-file Democrat," in June 2013.

Like-minded colleagues

The websiteOpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she votes most and least often. The results include a member from each party.[112]

Nelson most often voted with:

Nelson least often voted with:


Lifetime voting record

See also:Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the websiteGovTrack, Bill Nelson missed 98 of 4,718 roll call votes from January 2001 to September 2015. This amounts to 2.1 percent, which is worse than the median of 1.6 percent among current senators as of September 2015.[113]

Congressional staff salaries

See also:Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The websiteLegistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Nelson paid his congressional staff a total of $3,454,635 in 2011. He ranked 3rd on the list of the highest paid Democratic senatorial staff salaries and ranked 98th overall of the lowest paid senatorial staff salaries in 2011. Overall,Florida ranked 2nd in average salary for senatorial staff. The averageU.S. Senate congressional staff was paid $2,529,141.70 in fiscal year 2011.[114]

National Journal vote ratings

See also:National Journal vote ratings

Each yearNational Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year.

2013

Nelson ranked 23rd in the liberal rankings among U.S. senators in 2013.[115]

2012

Nelson ranked 28th in the liberal rankings in 2012.[116]

2011

Nelson ranked 46th in the liberal rankings in 2011.[117]

Voting with party

The websiteOpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus.

2014

Nelson voted with the Democratic Party96.8 percent of the time, which ranked 15th among the 53 Senate Democratic members as of July 2014.[118]

2013

Bill Nelson voted with the Democratic Party95.9 percent of the time, which ranked 18th among the 52 Senate Democratic members as of June 2013.[119]

2016 Democratic National Convention

Personal

Note: Pleasecontact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Nelson underwent prostate surgery in July 2015 to remove a cancerous growth. Following the procedure, his office reported that he was cancer-free.[128]

Recent news

This section links to a Google news search for the termBill + Nelson + Florida + Senate


See also

External links


Footnotes

  1. ↑Congress.gov, "PN255 — Bill Nelson — National Aeronautics and Space Administration," April 29, 2021
  2. ↑2.02.1Project Vote Smart, "Biography," accessed June 20, 2013
  3. ↑3.03.1Bill Nelson: (D-FL), "Path to Power," accessed October 13, 2011
  4. ↑Biographical Director of the United States Congress, "NELSON, Clarence William (Bill), (1942 - )," accessed February 12, 2015
  5. ↑U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
  6. ↑U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2000," accessed March 28, 2013
  7. ↑Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  8. ↑Nelson for U.S. Senate, "Issues," accessed September 12, 2018
  9. ↑United States Senate, "Committee Assignments of the 115th Congress," accessed January 19, 2017
  10. ↑United States Senate, "Committee Assignments of the 114th Congress," accessed February 17, 2015
  11. ↑Congressional Quarterly, "Senate Committee List," accessed January 22, 2013
  12. ↑12.012.112.212.312.412.5Bill Nelson: U.S. Senator from Florida, "Committee Assignments," accessed October 13, 2011
  13. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment with an Amendment)," December 18, 2018
  14. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Conference Report (Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2)," December 11, 2018
  15. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Nomination (Confirmation Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States)," October 6, 2018
  16. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture Re: Brett M. Kavanaugh to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States)," October 5, 2018
  17. ↑Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 2, As Amended)," June 28, 2018
  18. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on Amdt. No. 1959)," February 15, 2018
  19. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on Amdt. No. 1958 As Modified)," February 15, 2018
  20. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on Amdt. No. 1948)," February 15, 2018
  21. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on Amdt. No. 1955)," February 15, 2018
  22. ↑Senate.gov, "On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to the Consideration of S. 2311)," January 29, 2018
  23. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Amendment (McConnell Amdt. No. 667)," July 28, 2017
  24. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Amendment (Paul Amdt. No. 271 )," July 26, 2017
  25. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Amdt. No. 270)," July 25, 2017
  26. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Motion to Proceed (Motion to Proceed to H.R. 1628)," July 25, 2017
  27. ↑U.S. Senate, "On the Nomination (Confirmation: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States)," April 7, 2017
  28. ↑U.S. Senate, "On the Cloture Motion (Upon Reconsideration, Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States)," April 6, 2017
  29. ↑U.S. Senate, "On the Decision of the Chair (Shall the Decision of the Chair Stand as the Judgment of the Senate?)," April 6, 2017
  30. ↑U.S. Senate, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States)," April 6, 2017
  31. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Conference Report (Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 6157)," September 18, 2018
  32. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Conference Report (Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 5895)," September 12, 2018
  33. ↑Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (H. R. 6157 As Amended)," August 23, 2018
  34. ↑Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 5895 As Amended)," June 25, 2018
  35. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1625)," March 23, 2018
  36. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1892 with an Amendment (SA 1930))," February 9, 2018
  37. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 695)," February 8, 2018
  38. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment with Further Amendment)," January 22, 2018
  39. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture: Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 195)," January 22, 2018
  40. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture: House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 195)," January 19, 2018
  41. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1370)," December 21, 2017
  42. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Motion to Recede from the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1 and Concur with Further Amendment ," December 20, 2017
  43. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Joint Resolution (H.J. Res. 123)," December 7, 2017
  44. ↑Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 1 As Amended )," December 2, 2017
  45. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Concurrent Resolution (H. Con. Res. 71 As Amended)," October 19, 2017
  46. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amdt. to the Senate Amdt. with an Amdt. No. 808 to H.R. 601)," September 7, 2017
  47. ↑U.S. Senate, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 244)," May 4, 2017
  48. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Joint Resolution (S.J. Res. 54, As Amended), December 13, 2018
  49. ↑Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 2810 As Amended)," September 18, 2017
  50. ↑The Hill, "Senate sends $692B defense policy bill to Trump's desk," November 15, 2017
  51. ↑Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 3364)," July 27, 2017
  52. ↑Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (S. 722 As Amended)," June 15, 2017
  53. ↑Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the 113th Congress," accessed April 29, 2015
  54. ↑Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, Second Session of the 114th Congress," accessed January 5, 2017
  55. ↑Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress," April 13, 2015
  56. ↑Congress.gov, "HR 1314," accessed May 25, 2015
  57. ↑Senate.gov, "H.R. 1314 (Ensuring Tax Exempt Organizations the Right to Appeal Act)," accessed May 25, 2015
  58. ↑Senate.gov, "Roll Call for HR 2146," June 24, 2015
  59. ↑The Hill, "Senate approves fast-track, sending trade bill to White House," June 24, 2015
  60. ↑The Hill, "Obama signs trade bills," June 29, 2015
  61. ↑Congress.gov, "S.Con.Res.11," accessed May 5, 2015
  62. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Conference Report (Conference Report to Accompany S. Con. Res. 11)," accessed May 5, 2015
  63. ↑The Hill, "Republicans pass a budget, flexing power of majority," accessed May 5, 2015
  64. ↑The Hill, "Redone defense policy bill sails through House," accessed November 12, 2015
  65. ↑Congress.gov, "S. 1356," accessed November 12, 2015
  66. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to S. 1356)," accessed November 12, 2015
  67. ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 618," accessed November 12, 2015
  68. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture Re: Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 1735)," accessed October 6, 2015
  69. ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 239," accessed May 27, 2015
  70. ↑Congress.gov, "H.R. 1735," accessed May 27, 2015
  71. ↑Congress.gov, "HR 1314 - Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015," accessed November 1, 2015
  72. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1314)," accessed November 1, 2015
  73. ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 579," accessed November 1, 2015
  74. ↑Congress.gov, "HR 1191," accessed May 8, 2015
  75. ↑Senate.gov, "H.R. 1191," accessed May 8, 2015
  76. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on McConnell Amdt. No. 2640 )," accessed September 10, 2015
  77. ↑Congress.gov, "HJ Res 61," accessed September 10, 2015
  78. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on McConnell Amdt. No. 2640 )," accessed September 16, 2015
  79. ↑Congress.gov, "HJ Res 61," accessed September 10, 2015
  80. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on McConnell Amdt. No. 2640 )," accessed September 17, 2015
  81. ↑Congress.gov, "S.Amdt.2656 to S.Amdt.2640," accessed September 17, 2015
  82. ↑Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on McConnell Amdt. No. 2656)," accessed September 17, 2015
  83. ↑Congress.gov, "H.R.2048," accessed May 26, 2015
  84. ↑Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 2048)," accessed June 2, 2015
  85. ↑Congress.gov, "S 754," accessed November 1, 2015
  86. ↑Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (S. 754, As Amended)," accessed November 1, 2015
  87. ↑Congress.gov, "S 2146," accessed November 2, 2015
  88. ↑Senate.gov, "On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to S. 2146)," accessed November 2, 2015
  89. ↑Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the 112th Congress," accessed September 5, 2013
  90. ↑Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, Second Session of the 113th Congress," accessed March 4, 2014
  91. ↑91.091.191.291.3Project Vote Smart, "Richard Nelson Key Votes," accessed October 16, 2013
  92. ↑Senate.gov, "H.R. 2642 (Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013)," accessed February 12, 2014
  93. ↑NY Times, "Senate Passes Long-Stalled Farm Bill, With Clear Winners and Losers," accessed February 12, 2014
  94. ↑94.094.1Politico, "Senate approves $1.1 trillion spending bill," accessed January 20, 2014
  95. ↑95.095.195.2U.S. Senate, "January 16 Vote," accessed January 20, 2014
  96. ↑Roll Call, "House Passes $1.1 Trillion Omnibus," accessed January 20, 2014
  97. ↑The Washington Post, "Reid, McConnell propose bipartisan Senate bill to end shutdown, extend borrowing," accessed October 16, 2013
  98. ↑Senate.gov, "H.R. 2775 As Amended," accessed October 31, 2013
  99. ↑U.S. Senate, "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff," accessed January 4, 2013
  100. ↑Miami Herald, "Hillary Clinton rolls out Florida support," November 16, 2015
  101. ↑101.0101.1First Coast News, "Florida Senators react to Syria debate," accessed September 2, 2013
  102. ↑Huffingtonpost.com, "Gay Marriage Rights: The 10 Democratic Senators Who Still Say No" August 2014
  103. ↑103.0103.1Metro Weekly, "Bill Nelson becomes 51st senator to support same-sex marriage" accessed April 5, 2013
  104. ↑Tampa Bay Times, " Bill Nelson reverses opposition to gay marriage" accessed April 5, 2013
  105. ↑OpenSecrets, "Nelson, (D-FL), 2012," accessed February 18, 2014
  106. ↑This figure represents the average annual percentage growth from either 2004 (if the member entered office in 2004 or earlier) or their first year in office (as noted in the chart below) to 2012, divided by the number of years calculated.
  107. ↑This number was found by dividing each member's total net worth growth percentage by the number of years included in the calculation.
  108. ↑This figure represents the total percentage growth divided by the number of years for which there are net worth figures for each member.
  109. ↑This figure was calculated using median asset data from the Census Bureau. Please see theCongressional Net Worth data for Ballotpedia spreadsheet for more information on this calculation.
  110. ↑OpenSecrets.org, "Sen. Bill Nelson," accessed September 18, 2014
  111. ↑GovTrack, "Bill Nelson," accessed July 21, 2014
  112. ↑OpenCongress, "Rep. Bill Nelson," accessed September 23, 2015
  113. ↑GovTrack, "Bill Nelson," accessed September 23, 2015
  114. ↑LegiStorm, "Bill Nelson"
  115. ↑National Journal, "2013 Senate Vote Ratings," accessed July 21, 2014
  116. ↑National Journal, "2012 Congressional Vote Ratings," February 28, 2013
  117. ↑National Journal, "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: Senate," accessed February 23, 2012
  118. ↑OpenCongress, "Voting With Party," accessed July 2014
  119. ↑OpenCongress, "Voting With Party," accessed July 2014
  120. ↑Ballotpedia's list of superdelegates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention is based on our own research and lists provided by the Democratic National Committee to Vox.com inFebruary 2016 andMay 2016. If you think we made an error in identifying superdelegates, please send an email toeditor@ballotpedia.org.
  121. ↑Five Thirty Eight, “The Endorsement Primary,” June 7, 2016
  122. ↑To find out which candidate a superdelegate supported, Ballotpedia sought out public statements from the superdelegate in other media outlets and on social media. If we were unable to find a public statement that clearly articulated which candidate the superdelegate supported at the national convention, we listed that superdelegate as "unknown." If you believe we made an error in identifying which candidate a superdelegate supported, please email us ateditor@ballotpedia.org.
  123. ↑Congressional Research Service, "The Presidential Nominating Process and the National Party Conventions, 2016: Frequently Asked Questions," December 30, 2015
  124. ↑CNN, "Florida exit polls," March 15, 2016
  125. ↑125.0125.1Democratic National Committee, "2016 Democratic National Convention Delegate/Alternate Allocation," updated February 19, 2016
  126. ↑The Green Papers, "2016 Democratic Convention," accessed May 7, 2021
  127. ↑Democratic National Committee's Office of Party Affairs and Delegate Selection, "Unpledged Delegates -- By State," May 27, 2016
  128. ↑Politico, "Sen. Bill Nelson cancer-free after prostate surgery," July 20, 2015
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Connie Mack III		U.S. Senate - Florida
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Rick Scott (R)


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