Nelson ‘Undecided’ On Recovery Plan: ‘I Don’t Even Know How Many Democrats Will Vote For It

[G_j]

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/01/30/nelson-stimulus-bill/


Nelson ‘Undecided’ On Recovery Plan: ‘I Don’t Even Know How Many Democrats Will Vote For It As It Stands’»

On Wednesday, when the House voted 244 - 188 to approve the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 11 Democrats joined with the entire Republican caucus in voting against the bill. Now, as the stimulus debate moves to the Senate, it appears that some Democratic senators are challenging the Obama administration’s stimulus plans as well.

The Washington Post reported this morning that Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) “remains undecided about the bill“:

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), who remains undecided about the bill, said he opposes money going to research projects at the National Institutes of Health and about $13 billion for Pell grants that help students pay for college. Nelson says the measures are worthy but do not belong in legislation designed to stimulate the economy.

Despite what Nelson says, both increased NIH funding and money for Pell grants are actually a wise use of stimulus dollars.

According to Fox News, Nelson convened a meeting in his Senate office today with Senate Republicans and some Democrats who are seeking “common ground on how they can improve the $819 billion economic stimulus bill.” Nelson’s meeting included Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA).

In an interview with Fox News after the meeting, Nelson said he didn’t know how many Democrats, let alone Republicans, would vote for the stimulus plan “as it stands today”:

HEMMER: No Republicans voted for this measure in the House. Do you know of any Republicans on the Senate side that will vote yes as it stands today?

NELSON: I don’t know, I don’t even know how many Democrats will vote for it as it stands today because a lot of my colleagues are not decided. They’re undecided on the bill as it is right now. Fortunately, we don’t have to take the vote on it right now. We have an opportunity to make some improvements

[blueclown]

1. Just give us a Republican in that seat.

At least we know where they stand.

We can make it up elsewhere.

[liberal N proud]

2. He is sounding like a republican

Doesn't want money spend on education or health care.

[depakid]

5. Agreed- he and his ilk do much more harm than good

The party is better off without these sorts of turncoats. Bad locker room chemistry, so to speak.

[Ichingcarpenter]

3. He went on Faux to announce this also

I saw it this morning and boy did they appreciate him coming on!

[rucky]

4. Senator Zelson

son of Zell

[spanone]

6. this is some scary shit....washington's way of saying....'we're in charge here' change my ass

[Ichingcarpenter]

7. He's right now on MSNBC with Andrea Mitchell

Why is he all over the TV stations?

[G_j]

8. because he talks the Republican line nt

[spanone]

9. media loves nothing more than a turncoat democrat...ala joey the boy

[Ichingcarpenter]

10. He's not too bright & will cut his own throat and now Sen. Kerry is on

I hope Kerry comments.

[TwilightGardener]

11. Gee, thanks, Benny--starting to think about re-election again, huh?

Gotta keep the Nebraska GOPers on your side.

[Ichingcarpenter]

12. Sen. Kerry makes Nelson sound like a simpleton

He gives intelligent and cognitive answers
Nelson just gives talking points.

Thanks Sen. Kerry for coming on after Nelson.

[FLAprogressive]

13. Ben Nelson is a fucking loser. Olympia Snowe actually has a better voting record than he does.

[ogneopasno]

14. That's nice, Ben. Hopefully Rust Belt senators will remember this when it's time to vote on farm

subsidies.