Bill Nelson

Nelson was born on September 29, 1942, in Miami, Florida, the only child of Nannie Merle and Clarence William Nelson.{{cite web |url=http://florida4h.org/foundation/fl4h/NelsonB.htm |title=Bill Nelson |publisher=Florida 4-H Hall of Fame |access-date=April 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301080242/http://florida4h.org/foundation/FL4H/NelsonB.htm |archive-date=March 1, 2012}} His father was a real estate investor and a lawyer.{{Cite news |last=McCarthy |first=John |date=October 11, 2018 |title=Bill Nelson: Noble career or career politician? Will Florida's senator bat 15-1 or 14-2? |work=Florida Today |url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/10/11/bill-nelson-profile/1348273002/ |access-date=January 5, 2022}} He is of Scottish, Irish, English, and Danish descent.{{Cite web|url=http://www.niuzer.com/Politics/Nelson-returns-to-his-Panhandle-roots-as-he-tours-state-in-closing-weeks-14651079.html|title=Niuzer.com|access-date=November 7, 2012|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063721/http://www.niuzer.com/Politics/Nelson-returns-to-his-Panhandle-roots-as-he-tours-state-in-closing-weeks-14651079.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/senators/nelsonbill.htm |title=bill nelson |publisher=Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com |access-date=November 20, 2013}} His father died of a heart attack when Nelson was 14 and his mother of Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) when he was 24.{{cite web |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2000-10-29/news/0010290093_1_clarence-william-nelson-nelson-talks-bill-mccollum |title=Despite Similarities, Senate Hopefuls Have Big Differences |publisher=Sun-Sentinel |date=October 29, 2000 |access-date=July 16, 2014 |archive-date=July 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728195045/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2000-10-29/news/0010290093_1_clarence-william-nelson-nelson-talks-bill-mccollum |url-status=dead}}

Nelson grew up in Melbourne, Florida, where he attended Melbourne High School.{{Cite web |title=Biography |url= https://billnelson.senate.gov/about/biography.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804224841/http://billnelson.senate.gov/about/biography.cfm |archive-date=August 4, 2009 |access-date=August 30, 2022}}

Nelson attended Baptist and Episcopal churches, but later was baptized through immersion in a Baptist church. He served as International President of Kiwanis-sponsored Key Club International (1959–1960).Kiwanis Magazine, December 2012, p. 14. In 2005, he joined the First Presbyterian Church in Orlando.Stratton, Jim. [https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2006-10-06-senreligion06-story.html "Nelson doesn't act like Christian, Harris says".] [http://www.orlandosentinel.com/ Orlando Sentinel.] October 6, 2006. Retrieved March 28, 2010.

Nelson attended the University of Florida, where he was a member of Florida Blue Key and Beta Theta Pi social fraternity.{{Cite web|last=Van Ness|first=Carl|date=2021|title=The Swamp, Undrained: What's Orange and Blue and Red? The Presidential Hopefuls and Other Politicians Who Have Made a Stop at the University of Florida. See Photos of Their Visits.|url=https://www.uff.ufl.edu/gatornation/the-swamp-undrained/|url-status=live|website=Www.uff.full.edu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221023642/https://www.uff.ufl.edu/gatornation/the-swamp-undrained/ |archive-date=December 21, 2021}} He transferred to Yale University after two years at the University of Florida. At Yale he would be roommates with Bruce Smathers, the son of Florida senator George Smathers. Nelson received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in political science from Yale University in 1965 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia in 1968.[http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/Bill_Nelson "Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)".] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929143739/http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/Bill_Nelson |date=September 29, 2009}} WhoRunsGov.com. Retrieved December 15, 2009.

In 1965, during the Vietnam War, Nelson joined the United States 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. In 1971, he worked as legislative assistant to Governor Reubin Askew.

In 1986, Nelson became the second sitting member of Congress (and the first member of the House) to travel into space. He went through NASA training with fellow "congressional observer" Senator Jake Garn, who flew on STS-51-D in 1985. Nelson served as a payload specialist on {{OV|102}}'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 serve as a NASA administrator. Gregory Jarvis was originally scheduled to be on this flight, but he was reassigned to STS-51-L and replaced by Nelson;{{cite book |first=Mike |last=Mullane |title=Riding Rockets |year=2006 |pages=204–205 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fvWZsjorXJIC&q=Nelson%20Jarvis&pg=PA204 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-0-7432-7682-5}} Jarvis, along with the six others on STS-51-L, died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, ten days after STS-61-C's mission ended.

In 1988, Nelson published a book about his space flight experience, Mission: An American Congressman's Voyage to Space.{{cite book |last=Nelson |first=Bill |date=1988 |title=Mission: An American Congressman's Voyage to Space |publisher=Harcourt Brace Jovanovich |isbn=978-0151055562 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/missionamericanc00nels}}

File:Bill Nelson in 1972.jpg

In 1972, Nelson was elected to the Florida House of Representatives as the member from the 47th district, representing much of Brevard County and portions of Orange County and Seminole County.{{cite web |url=http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Search/HistoricalJournal/HistoricalJournal.aspx |title=Florida House of Representatives - Historic Journals|website=www.myfloridahouse.gov|access-date=June 19, 2016|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817001312/http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Search/HistoricalJournal/HistoricalJournal.aspx|archive-date=August 17, 2016}} He won reelection in 1974 and 1976.[http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/n000032/ "Bill Nelson"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114003309/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/N000032/ |date=January 14, 2010}}. Washington Post:U.S. Congress Votes Database. Retrieved December 16, 2009.

Nelson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1978 in the open 9th congressional district after the five-term Republican incumbent, Louis Frey Jr., chose to run for governor of Florida rather than for reelection.{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=F000381|title=FREY, Louis, Jr. - Biographical Information |website=bioguide.congress.gov|access-date=June 19, 2016}}

In 1980, Nelson was reelected to that district, which encompassed all of Brevard and part of Orange County. He was redistricted to the 11th congressional district, encompassing all of Brevard and parts of Orange, Indian River, and Osceola counties; he won reelection in 1982, 1984, 1986, and 1988. He remained a member of the U.S. House of Representatives until 1991.

Nelson chaired the House Space Subcommittee for six years{{Cite web |last=Dunbar |first=Brian |date=May 3, 2021 |title=NASA Administrator Bill Nelson |url=https://www.nasa.gov/people/nasa-administrator-bill-nelson/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829125305/https://www.nasa.gov/people/nasa-administrator-bill-nelson/ |archive-date=August 29, 2024 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |publisher=NASA}} as a key member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.{{Cite news |last=Sawyer |first=Kathy |date=October 31, 1987 |title=Space Station Authorization Signed |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/10/31/space-station-authorization-signed/5a02814f-18eb-4284-817d-5a3f544894c0/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905083144/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/10/31/space-station-authorization-signed/5a02814f-18eb-4284-817d-5a3f544894c0/ |archive-date=September 5, 2024 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |issn=0190-8286 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite news |last=Sawyer |first=Kathy |date=April 4, 1987 |title=Reagan Approves Two-Part Plan in Bid to Rescue Space Station |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/04/04/reagan-approves-two-part-plan-in-bid-to-rescue-space-station/34b24226-c5b5-4986-bc21-2c545203b3e7/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905083549/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/04/04/reagan-approves-two-part-plan-in-bid-to-rescue-space-station/34b24226-c5b5-4986-bc21-2c545203b3e7/ |archive-date=September 5, 2024 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |issn=0190-8286 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} His district included Cape Canaveral and its space facility. In 1988, Bill Nelson criticized President Reagan's policy to export American satellites for launch on China's Long March rockets. Nelson called this an "inconsistent administration policy." Nelson stated that Reagan "wanted to build up commercial space ventures, and on the other hand, he is cutting off the commercial space ventures at the knees with these export licenses."{{Cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Jeffrey |date=September 10, 1988 |title=Reagan Backs Plan to Launch Satellites from China Rockets |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1988/09/10/reagan-backs-plan-to-launch-satellites-from-china-rockets/8d297820-e22f-4ef2-a66d-3d275377ad05/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617022857/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1988/09/10/reagan-backs-plan-to-launch-satellites-from-china-rockets/8d297820-e22f-4ef2-a66d-3d275377ad05/ |archive-date=June 17, 2024 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |issn=0190-8286 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

In 1990, Nelson ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for governor of Florida. His primary rival was former U.S. Senator Lawton Chiles. During the campaign, the younger Nelson tried to highlight Chiles' age and use of Prozac to treat his depression, but this proved to be an unpopular strategy, and Nelson lost by a wide margin, getting 30.5% of the vote to Chiles' 69.5%. Chiles went on to win the general election.{{Cite news |editor1-last=Ryan |editor1-first=Fred |editor2-first=Sally |editor2-last=Buzbee |last=MacPherson |first=Myra |date=September 2, 1990 |title=Prozac, prejudice and the politics of depression |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1990/09/02/prozac-prejudice-and-the-politics-of-depression/edfa16db-e941-4513-b208-cf13b86ff2b2 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621170744/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1990/09/02/prozac-prejudice-and-the-politics-of-depression/edfa16db-e941-4513-b208-cf13b86ff2b2 |archive-date=June 21, 2018 |access-date=August 26, 2021 |publication-place=Washington, D.C., United States of America |issn=0190-8286 |oclc=2269358 |editor2-link=Sally Buzbee |editor1-link=Fred Ryan |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite news |editor1-first=Arthur Ochs Sr. |editor1-last=Sulzberger |last=Lemoyne |first=James |date=April 25, 1990 |title=Chiles Transforms Florida Campaign |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/25/us/chiles-transforms-florida-campaign.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525203618/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/25/us/chiles-transforms-florida-campaign.html |archive-date=May 25, 2015 |access-date=August 26, 2021 |page=A16 |publication-place=New York, New York, United States of America |volume=CLXX |issue=83 |issn=0362-4331 |oclc=1645522 |editor1-link=Arthur Ochs Sulzberger |newspaper=The New York Times}}

File:Governor Bush and the Cabinet - Tallahassee, Florida.jpg and Nelson in 1999]]

In 1994, Nelson announced his intention to seek the office of Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, and Fire Marshal of Florida. He won the election with 52% of the vote over State Rep. Tim Ireland's 48%. In 1998, he won re-election to the office, again defeating Ireland.

In 2000, Nelson announced that he would be running for the United States Senate seat held by retiring Republican Connie Mack III.{{cite web|url=http://election.dos.state.fl.us/opinions/new/2000/de0009.pdf|title=Division of Elections - Florida Department of State|work=state.fl.us|access-date=October 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018011043/http://election.dos.state.fl.us/opinions/new/2000/de0009.pdf|archive-date=October 18, 2012|url-status=dead}} Florida's resign-to-run law compelled Nelson to submit his resignation as Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner and Fire Marshal early in 2000 when he began to campaign for the U.S. Senate seat. He chose January 3, 2001, as the effective date of his resignation, as that was the date on which new senators would be sworn in.

File:Bill Nelson.jpg

File:Bill Nelson, official NASA photo.jpg

{{Main|2000 United States Senate election in Florida}}

In 2000, Nelson ran as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Republican senator Connie Mack III. He won the election, defeating U.S. representative Bill McCollum, who ran as the Republican candidate.

{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Florida}}

Following the 2004 election, in which Republican George W. Bush was re-elected and the Republican Party increased its majority in both the House and the Senate, Nelson was seen as vulnerable. He was a Democrat in a state that Bush had won, though by a margin of only five percentage points.{{Cite news |date=November 29, 2004 |title=For Democrats in red states, 2006 daunting |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/nov/29/20041129-010523-1935r/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602221159/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/nov/29/20041129-010523-1935r/ |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |access-date=December 22, 2009 |work=The Washington Times}}

Evangelical Christian activist James Dobson declared that Democrats, including Nelson, would be "in the 'bull's-eye'" if they supported efforts to block Bush's judicial nominees.{{Cite news |last=Kirkpatrick |first=David D. |date=January 1, 2005 |title=Evangelical Leader Threatens to Use His Political Muscle Against Some Democrats |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/01/politics/evangelical-leader-threatens-to-use-his-political-muscle-against.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412094921/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/01/politics/evangelical-leader-threatens-to-use-his-political-muscle-against.html |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=December 22, 2009 |work=The New York Times}} Nelson's refusal to support efforts in Congress to intervene in the Terri Schiavo case was seen as "a great political issue" for a Republican opponent to use in mobilizing Christian conservatives against him.{{Cite news |last1=Babington |first1=Charles |last2=Allen |first2=Mike |date=March 21, 2005 |title=Congress Passes Schiavo Measure |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2005/03/21/congress-passes-schiavo-measure/40b9faf8-71ac-4c9f-82e3-b6b887dfbf4c/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905085521/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2005/03/21/congress-passes-schiavo-measure/40b9faf8-71ac-4c9f-82e3-b6b887dfbf4c/ |archive-date=September 5, 2024 |access-date=December 4, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

Katherine Harris, the former Florida secretary of state and two-term U.S. representative, defeated three other candidates in the September 5 Republican primary. Harris' role in the 2000 presidential election made her a polarizing figure. Many Florida Republicans were eager to reward her for her perceived party loyalty in the Bush-Gore election, while many Florida Democrats were eager to vote against her for the same reason.{{Cite news |last=Gibson |first=William E. |date=October 20, 2006 |title=Senate Race Centers On Images |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2006-10-20/news/0610191186_1_katherine-harris-palm-beach-county-election-officials |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724235859/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2006-10-20/news/0610191186_1_katherine-harris-palm-beach-county-election-officials |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |access-date=December 22, 2009 |work=Sun Sentinel}} In May, when the party found itself unable to recruit a candidate who could defeat Harris in the primary, many Republican activists admitted that the race was already lost.{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Anita |date=May 11, 2006 |title=GOP can't elude Harris vs. Nelson |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2006/05/11/State/GOP_can_t_elude_Harri.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523234134/http://www.sptimes.com/2006/05/11/State/GOP_can_t_elude_Harri.shtml |archive-date=May 23, 2011 |access-date=December 22, 2009 |work=St. Petersburg Times |location=Washington}}

Nelson focused on safe issues, portraying himself as a bipartisan centrist problem-solver.

He obtained the endorsement of all 22 of Florida's daily newspapers.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Lesley |date=October 30, 2006 |title=Nelson goes 22-0 |url=https://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2006/10/nelson_goes_220.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422060425/https://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2006/10/nelson_goes_220.html |archive-date=April 22, 2023 |access-date=December 22, 2009 |website=Naked Politics |publisher=Miami Herald}} Harris failed to secure the endorsement of Jeb Bush, who publicly stated that she could not win; the United States Chamber of Commerce, which had supported her in her House campaigns, did not endorse her in this race.{{Cite news |last=Kormanik |first=Beth |date=October 31, 2006 |title=Harris, Nelson tout testimonials |url=http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/103106/met_5911837.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322012151/http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/103106/met_5911837.shtml |archive-date=March 22, 2012 |access-date=December 22, 2009 |work=The Florida Times-Union}}

As the election approached, polls showed Harris trailing Nelson by 26 to 35 points.{{Cite news |last=Copeland |first=Libby |date=October 31, 2006 |title=Campaign Gone South |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103001311.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905090828/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103001311.html |archive-date=September 5, 2024 |access-date=December 22, 2009 |newspaper=The Washington Post |location=Bartow, Fla.}} Nelson transferred about $16.5 million in campaign funds to other Democratic candidates,{{Cite news |last=Gibson |first=William E. |date=November 8, 2006 |title=Nelson Rolls To Second Term |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2006-11-08/news/0611080119_1_katherine-harris-bill-nelson-florida-coast |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724235905/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2006-11-08/news/0611080119_1_katherine-harris-bill-nelson-florida-coast |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |access-date=December 22, 2009 |work=Sun Sentinel}} and won the election with 2,890,548 votes to Harris's 1,826,127 votes.{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Lorraine C. |date=September 21, 2007 |orig-date=November 7, 2006 |title=Statistics of the General Election of 2006 |url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006/2006Stat.htm#9 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626012047/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006/2006Stat.htm |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |access-date=March 2, 2021 |website=Clerk of the US House of Representatives |publisher=United States House of Representatives}} He won 57 out of the state's 67 counties.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

{{Main|2012 United States Senate election in Florida}}

File:VP Biden speaks at USACE Everglades project - 6990192814.jpg and Rep. Alcee Hastings in Miami-Dade County, Florida (2012)]]

Vice President Joe Biden called Nelson crucial to President Obama's chances for winning Florida in 2012. In March 2011, Biden was reported as having said that if Nelson lost in 2012, "it means President Obama and the Democratic presidential ticket won't win the key battleground state, either."{{Cite news |date=March 24, 2011 |title=Biden: If Bill Nelson loses Senate race, Obama won't win Florida in 2012 |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/86468-biden-if-bill-nelson-loses-senate-race-obama-wont-win-florida-in-2012/ |access-date=November 8, 2014 |work=The Hill}} Congressman Connie Mack IV, the son of Nelson's direct predecessor in the Senate, won the Republican nomination. Nelson eventually defeated Mack with 55.2% of the vote to Mack's 42.2%.{{cite news|title=2012 U.S. Senate Election Results|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/election-map-2012/senate/ |newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=December 24, 2012}}

{{Main|2018 United States Senate election in Florida}}

Nelson ran for reelection in 2018. He ran unopposed in the Democratic Party primary on August 28{{Cite news |last1=King |first1=Ledyard |date=August 10, 2018 |title=U.S. Senate: Primary election a formality for Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott |url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2018/08/10/rick-scott-bill-nelson-florida-primary-election-2018-u-s-senate/864408002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905091753/https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2018/08/10/rick-scott-bill-nelson-florida-primary-election-2018-u-s-senate/864408002/ |archive-date=September 5, 2024 |access-date=August 14, 2018 |work=Tallahassee Democrat}}{{Cite news |date=August 28, 2018 |title=Florida Primary Election Results |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/08/28/us/elections/florida-primary-elections.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722235751/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/08/28/us/elections/florida-primary-elections.html |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |access-date=August 29, 2018 |work=The New York Times}} and faced Florida Governor Rick Scott (a Republican) in the general election on November 6. The extremely tight race—with a margin of less than 0.25% separating Nelson and Scott—triggered a manual recount, per state law.{{Cite news |last=McCarthy |first=John |date=November 8, 2018 |title=Bill Nelson-Rick Scott Florida Senate race now in 'hand recount' territory |url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2018/11/08/bill-nelson-rick-scott-recount/1929724002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905092009/https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2018/11/08/bill-nelson-rick-scott-recount/1929724002/ |archive-date=September 5, 2024 |work=Florida Today}} The recount showed that Scott had defeated Nelson by 10,033 votes.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-florida-senate-idUSKCN1NN0QC|website=Reuters|access-date=November 18, 2018|date=November 18, 2018|title=Republican Scott wins Florida U.S. Senate seat after manual recount|last=Woodall|first=Bernie}}

A paper by scholars at the MIT Election Data and Science Lab concluded that the design of Broward County's 2018 general election ballots may have resulted in Nelson receiving 9,658 fewer votes than he otherwise would have, narrowing Scott's margin of victory but not changing the result. The study found that many voters did not see the U.S. Senate race on the lower left side of the ballot and, as a result, did not vote in that race.{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/fl-ne-bill-nelson-rick-scott-broward-ballot-design-20190711-deqpxqouwrggtgps6jmqdoezw4-story.html|title=Bad ballot design in Broward County cost Bill Nelson 9,658 votes in ultra-tight loss to Rick Scott|last=Man|first=Anthony|website=orlandosentinel.com|access-date=July 12, 2019}}

In the 113th United States Congress, Nelson served on the following committees:

• Committee on Armed Services
• Subcommittee on Airland
• Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
• Subcommittee on Seapower
• Committee on the Budget
• Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
• Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
• Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
• Subcommittee on Science and Space (Chairman)
• Committee on Finance
• Subcommittee on Health Care
• Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure
• Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy
• Special Committee on Aging (Chairman)

In the 114th United States Congress, Nelson served on the following committees:

• Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (Ranking Member)
• Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
• Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet
• Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance and Data Security
• Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
• Subcommittee on Space, Science and Competitiveness
• Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security
• Committee on Armed Services
• Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities (Ranking Member)
• Subcommittee on Seapower
• Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
• Committee on Finance
• Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure
• Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness
• Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight
• United States Senate Special Committee on Aging

On May 28, 2019, Nelson was appointed to serve on NASA's advisory council. Nelson was a member-at-large of the council, which advises on all major program and policy issues before the agency. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine praised his appointment, saying, "Nelson is a true champion for human spaceflight and will add tremendous value as we go to the Moon and on to Mars."

Nelson endorsed former vice president Joe Biden for President of the United States in 2020.{{cite web|last=Contorno|first=Steve|title=Joe Biden Picks up Florida Endorsements, Including Bill Nelson and Bob Graham|url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2019/07/29/joe-biden-picks-up-more-florida-endorsements-including-bill-nelson-and-bob-graham/|work=Tampa Bay Times|date=July 29, 2019|access-date=July 30, 2019}}

File:NASA Administrator Bill Nelson Swearing-In Ceremony (NHQ202105030005).jpg]]

On February 22, 2021, reports emerged that President Biden was considering nominating Nelson to be the Administrator of NASA.{{cite web|last=Speck|first=Emilee|title=Report: President Biden considering former Sen. Bill Nelson to lead NASA|url=https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2021/02/23/report-president-biden-considering-former-sen-bill-nelson-to-lead-nasa/|work=Tampa Bay Times|date=February 22, 2021|access-date=February 23, 2021}} On March 18, it was reported that Biden had selected Nelson for the position;{{Cite news|title=President Biden Announces his Intent to Nominate Bill Nelson for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration|language=en-US|work=White House|url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/03/19/president-biden-announces-his-intent-to-nominate-bill-nelson-for-the-national-aeronautics-and-space-administration/|access-date=March 20, 2021}} Biden officially announced the decision the next day.{{Cite news|date=March 20, 2021|title=Bill Nelson: Former astronaut and senator nominated as Nasa chief|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-56467580|access-date=March 20, 2021}} Nelson's nomination received widespread support from members of Congress from both parties, including from Nelson's Senate successor Rick Scott, as well as the overall space industry.{{cite web|last=Foust|first=Jeff|title=Widespread support for Nelson nomination to lead NASA|url=https://spacenews.com/widespread-support-for-nelson-nomination-to-lead-nasa/|work=Space News|date=March 19, 2021|access-date=April 18, 2021}} On April 29, the Senate voted to confirm Nelson as NASA Administrator by unanimous consent. He was sworn in on May 3 by Vice President Kamala Harris.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/551076-senate-confirms-ex-sen-nelson-to-nasa/|title=Senate confirms ex-Sen. Nelson to NASA|work=The Hill|access-date=April 30, 2021|date=April 29, 2021}}

Biden chose former Space Shuttle commanders Pamela Melroy and Robert D. Cabana to assist Nelson as Deputy Administrator and Associate Administrator, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/12/bill-nelson-came-to-nasa-to-do-two-things-and-hes-all-out-of-bubblegum/|title=Bill Nelson came to NASA to do two things, and he's all out of bubblegum

|work=Ars Technica |access-date=March 21, 2024|date=December 13, 2022}} After his retirement in 2023, Cabana was succeeded by exploration head Jim Free.{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-exploration-head-free-to-become-associate-administrator/|title=NASA exploration head Free to become associate administrator|work=Space News |access-date=March 21, 2024|date=November 16, 2023}}

Despite opposing them in the past, Nelson became a steadfast supporter of commercial fixed-price contracts and allowing aerospace companies to bid for contracts, saying, "with that competitive spirit, you get it done cheaper."{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/03/nasas-nelson-competitive-contracts-are-making-space-exploration-cheaper.html#:~:text=NASA%20administrator%20Bill%20Nelson%20strongly,low%2Dcost%20services%20to%20NASA.|title=NASA chief says competition is making space exploration cheaper, in dramatic shift on contracts|work=NBC News|access-date=March 21, 2024|date=May 3, 2022}} He also affirmed his support for the Artemis program, and through former Senate colleagues was able to get the entire requested Artemis funding for 2022, the first time that had happened.

As NASA administrator, Nelson has overseen the deployment of the James Webb Space Telescope, the Artemis 1 mission, and the DART asteroid impact, as well as significant progress towards future Artemis launches.

Nelson was often considered a moderate Democrat.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-mtblog-2011-02-nelson_and_miami_reps_called_c_1-story.html|title=Nelson and Miami Reps called 'Centrist¿|last=Gibson|first=William|work=Sun-Sentinel|access-date=June 22, 2018|language=en-US}} He styled himself as a centrist during his various campaigns. During his 2018 reelection campaign, challenger Rick Scott called Nelson a "socialist"; PolitiFact called the assertion "pants-on-fire" false.{{Cite news |url=https://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2018/sep/27/rick-scott/gov-rick-scotts-ridiculous-statement-sen-bill-nels/ |title=Gov. Rick Scott wrongly calls Sen. Bill Nelson a socialist|work=@politifact|access-date=September 29, 2018}} According to ratings by the National Journal, Nelson was given a 2013 composite score of 21% conservative and 80% liberal.{{Cite web |url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/1606/bill-nelson-sr|title=Bill Nelson, Sr.'s Ratings and Endorsements |website=votesmart.org|access-date=November 21, 2018}} In 2011, he was given composite scores of 37% conservative and 64% liberal.

Nelson has a lifetime conservative rating of nearly 30% from the American Conservative Union.{{Cite web|url=http://acuratings.conservative.org/acu-federal-legislative-ratings/?year1=2017&chamber=13&state1=0&sortable=1|title=ACU Ratings|website=ACU Ratings|language=en|access-date=June 22, 2018|archive-date=June 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622220340/http://acuratings.conservative.org/acu-federal-legislative-ratings/?year1=2017&chamber=13&state1=0&sortable=1|url-status=dead}} Conversely, the Americans for Democratic Action gave Nelson a 90% liberal quotient for 2016.{{Cite news|url=https://adaction.org/ada-voting-records/|title=ADA Voting Records - Americans for Democratic Action|work=Americans for Democratic Action|access-date=June 22, 2018|language=en-US}} In the 115th Congress, Nelson was more conservative than 93% of other congressional Democrats.{{Cite news |url=http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2018/may/24/senate-majority-pac/bill-nelson-one-americas-most-independent-senators/ |title=Is Bill Nelson one of America's most independent senators?|work=@politifact|access-date=July 20, 2018|language=en}} GovTrack, which analyzes a politician's record, places him near the Senate's ideological center and GovTrack placed him among the most moderate senators in 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/bill_nelson/300078|title=Bill Nelson, Senator for Florida - GovTrack.us|website=GovTrack.us|language=en|access-date=August 20, 2018}}

The only Florida Democrat in statewide office in 2017, Nelson was described by Politico in March of that year as "a Senate indicator species ... an institutional centrist." Politico wrote that the Democratic Party "is shifting left and so is he."{{cite web|last1=Caputo|first1=Marc|title=How Bill Nelson shook up the Gorsuch confirmation fight |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/bill-nelson-neil-gorsuch-opposition-vote-236598|website=Politico|date=March 28, 2017 |access-date=March 19, 2018}}

In July 2017, Nelson had a 53% approval rating and 25% disapproval rating, with 22% of survey respondents having no opinion on his job performance.{{cite web|last1=Easley|first1=Cameron|title=America's Most and Least Popular Senators|url=https://morningconsult.com/july-2017-senator-rankings/|website=Morning Consult|access-date=January 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118185327/https://morningconsult.com/july-2017-senator-rankings/|archive-date=January 18, 2018|url-status=dead}} FiveThirtyEight, which tracks congressional votes, shows that Nelson had voted with President Donald Trump's positions 42.5% of the time {{as of|2018|June|lc=y}}.{{Cite news|url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130161612/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 30, 2017|title=Tracking Congress In The Age Of Trump|last=Bycoffe|first=Aaron|date=January 30, 2017|work=FiveThirtyEight|access-date=June 22, 2018}}

;Trade

In 2005, Nelson was one of ten Democrats who voted in favor of the Dominican Republic–Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) on its 55–45 passage in the Senate.Nichols, John. [http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/4561 "Democrats for CAFTA".] The Beat (blog at the Nation). July 5, 2005. Retrieved December 16, 2009.

;Tax policy

On several occasions, Nelson voted to reduce or eliminate the estate tax,[http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/n000032/votes/against-party/ "Bill Nelson – Votes Against Party"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008161537/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/N000032/votes/against-party/ |date=October 8, 2009}}. Washington Post:U.S. Congress Votes Database. Retrieved December 16, 2009. notably in June 2006, when he was one of four Democrats voting for a failed (57–41) cloture motion on a bill to eliminate the tax.Andrews, Edmund L. [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/09/washington/09tax.html "G.O.P. Fails in Attempt to Repeal Estate Tax"]. The New York Times. June 9, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2009.

File:Nelson Hurricane Hunter.jpg in August 2004{{Cite web |url=http://billnelson.senate.gov/about/photos/index.cfm?gid=1&pid=4&firstThumb=1 |title=Bill Nelson, U.S. Senator from Florida: Photo Gallery |access-date=December 27, 2006 |archive-date=December 27, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061227183250/http://billnelson.senate.gov/about/photos/index.cfm?gid=1&pid=4&firstThumb=1 |url-status=live}}]]

Nelson voted against a Republican plan to extend the Bush tax cuts to all taxpayers. Instead, he supported extending the tax cuts for those with incomes below $250,000. Nelson voted for the Buffett Rule in April 2012. Of his support for the Buffett Rule, Nelson said he voted to raise the minimum tax rate on incomes over $1 million per year to 30% to reduce the budget deficit and to make the tax code fairer: "In short, tax fairness for deficit reduction just makes common sense."{{cite web |url=http://www.omaha.com/article/20120416/NEWS/704179949 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130185205/http://www.omaha.com/article/20120416/NEWS/704179949 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 30, 2013 |title=Senate blocks 'Buffett rule' |publisher=Omaha.com |date=April 17, 2012 |access-date=November 20, 2013}}

In 2011, Nelson voted to end Bush-era tax cuts for those earning over $250,000, but voted for $143 billion in tax cuts, unemployment benefits, and other economic measures.{{cite web|last1=Buzzacco-Foerster|first1=Jenna|last2=Carpenter|first2=Jacob |title=Analysis: Comparing the votes of Bill Nelson and Connie Mack on key issues |url=http://archive.naplesnews.com/news/state/analysis-comparing-the-votes-of-bill-nelson-and-connie-mack-on-key-issues-ep-387832569-342432871.html/|website=Naples Daily News|access-date=March 22, 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Kane|first1=Paul|last2=Mui|first2=Ylan Q.|title=Congress passes extension of payroll tax cut|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/house-passes-extension-of-payroll-tax-cut/2012/02/17/gIQANC8tJR_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=March 22, 2018}}

In 2013, Nelson advocated tax reform, which he defined as "getting rid of special interest tax breaks and corporate subsidies" and gaining "simplicity, fairness, and economic growth".{{cite web|last1=Davis |first1=James|title=The One Thing Congress Agrees on That Could Transform the Economy|url=http://fortune.com/2017/08/03/congress-economy-democrats-republicans-tax-reform/|website=Fortune|access-date=March 22, 2018}}

Nelson and Susan Collins introduced legislation in 2015 that would "make it easier for smaller businesses to cut administrative costs by forming multiple-employer 401(k)-style plans."{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Mark|title=How to use Social Security to fix retirement inequality|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-column-miller-retirementinequality/how-to-use-social-security-to-fix-retirement-inequality-idUSKBN0OD2FN20150528|website=Reuters|date=May 28, 2015 |access-date=March 19, 2018}}

;Government spending

Nelson voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, often referred to as economic stimulus, proposed by President Obama.{{cite news |title=Nelson prefers campaign trail to convention |newspaper=The St. Augustine Record |date=September 6, 2012}} In August 2011, he voted for a bill to increase the debt limit by $400 billion. Nelson said that while the bill was not perfect, "this kind of gridlock doesn't do anything." Nelson voted against Paul Ryan's budget.{{cite news |title=Analysis: Comparing the votes of Bill Nelson and Connie Mack on key issues |author=Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster |newspaper=Naples Daily News |date=August 20, 2012}}

;Consumer affairs

In May 2013, Nelson asked the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to investigate why consumers who carried out a real-estate short sale were having their credit scores lowered to the same degree as those who went through foreclosure. Nelson suggested a penalty if the issue was not addressed within 90 days.{{cite web|last=Harney |first=Kenneth R. |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-harney-20130519,0,111610.story |title=Short sales routinely show up in credit reports as foreclosures |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 17, 2013 |access-date=November 20, 2013}}

Nelson was interested in product safety issues and was often engaged in oversight and criticism of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. He repeatedly opposed Trump's nominee to lead the commission.{{Cite web|url=https://www.retailconsumerproductslaw.com/2019/01/trump-renominates-buerkle-to-lead-cpsc-third-times-a-charm/|title=Trump Renominates Buerkle to Lead CPSC: Third Time's a Charm?|date=January 22, 2019|website=Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer|language=en-US|access-date=August 31, 2019}}

;Flood insurance

Nelson voted in favor of the Biggert–Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, which required the National Flood Insurance Program to raise insurance rates for some properties at high risk of flooding to better reflect true flood risk costs and keep the program solvent.{{cite web|title=Biggert–Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act|url=https://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/bw-12.jsp|work=FloodSmart.gov|access-date=April 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313115441/https://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/bw-12.jsp|archive-date=March 13, 2014|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news |last=Harrington |first=Jeff |date=February 11, 2014 |title=Premiums rising for national flood program, though Florida pales in payouts |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/banking/premiums-rising-for-national-flood-program-though-florida-pales-in-payouts/2126888/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130091206/https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/banking/premiums-rising-for-national-flood-program-though-florida-pales-in-payouts/2126888/ |archive-date=November 30, 2023 |work=Tampa Bay Times}} In 2014, after an outcry by Florida property owners facing steep flood insurance-rate hikes,{{cite news|last=Gordon|first=Greg |title=Public outcry prompts delay in federal flood insurance rate hikes |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article1959242.html |access-date=October 10, 2015|newspaper=Miami Herald|date=January 14, 2014}} Nelson supported legislation that would provide retroactive refunds for taxpayers who had experienced large hikes in their flood-insurance rates due to the sale or purchase of a home. The proposal would also cap average annual premium increases at 15 to 18 percent and allow insurance-rates subsidies based on current flood maps.{{cite news|last=Simpson|first=Andrew|title=House Passes Flood Insurance Bill; Key Senators Sign On|url=http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2014/03/04/322194.htm|access-date=April 1, 2014|newspaper=Insurance Journal|date=March 4, 2014}}

;Earmarks

In 2010, PolitiFact found that Nelson had flip-flopped on the issue of earmarks, pushing for a moratorium on the practice after saying that "earmarks were an important part of creating jobs and growing Florida's economy."{{cite news |last1=Sharockman |first1=Aaron |title=Bill Nelson talks one way on earmarks, but votes another |url=https://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/dec/01/bill-nelson/bill-nelson-talks-one-way-earmarks-votes-another/ |access-date=September 29, 2018 |publisher=PolitiFact |date=December 1, 2010}}

In September 2014, Nelson said the U.S. should hit back at the Islamic State (ISIS) immediately, because "the U.S. is the only one that can put together a coalition to stop this group that's intent on barbaric cruelty."{{cite web|last1=Lengell|first1=Sean|title=Bill Nelson: U.S. the 'only one' who can stop ISIS|url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/bill-nelson-us-the-only-one-who-can-stop-isis/article/2552726|website=The Washington Examiner|date=September 2, 2014 |access-date=March 10, 2018}}

He supported the "Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act." Introduced in 2013 and again in 2015, it would keep guns from people with suspected terrorist links.{{cite magazine|last1=SWEETLAND EDWARDS|first1=HALEY|title=Orlando Shooting May Revive Effort to Keep Guns From Suspected Terrorists|url=https://time.com/4366009/orlando-shooting-terrorist-suspects-gun-purchase/ |magazine=Time|access-date=March 19, 2018}}

Standing outside the Orlando Pulse nightclub immediately after the June 2016 massacre there, Nelson called Omar Mateen a "lone wolf", and when asked if it was an act of jihad, said he could not confirm that.{{cite web |last1=Goldhill|first1=Olivia|title=The Orlando shooting is the deadliest in US history. Here's what we know |url=https://qz.com/704849/heres-what-we-know-about-the-mass-shooting-in-orlando/|website=Quartz|date=June 12, 2016 |access-date=March 21, 2018}} Shortly afterward, citing intelligence sources, Nelson said there was apparently "a link to Islamic radicalism" and perhaps ISIS.{{cite web|last1=MCCASKILL|first1=NOLAN D.|last2=EAST|first2=KRISTEN|title=Orlando massacre: Shock and horror |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/orlando-shooting-224226|website=Politico|date=June 12, 2016 |access-date=March 17, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Hayes|first1=Christal|last2=Tziperman Lotan|first2=Gal|last3=Cherney|first3=Elyssa|last4=Miller|first4=Naseem S. |last5=Lemongello|first5=Steven|last6=Rodgers|first6=Bethany|title=Orlando shooting victims remembered in vigils across city, nation and world|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-orlando-shooting-pulse-nightclub-story.html|website=Orlando Sentinel|date=June 13, 2016 |access-date=March 20, 2018}} He later said on the Senate floor that "terrorists ... want to divide people", but that Mateen had instead "brought people together".{{cite web|last1=Bustos|first1=Sergio|title=Nelson, Rubio recount Pulse nightclub attack, outpouring of unity in Orlando|url=https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2017/06/12/nelson-rubio-recount-pulse-nightclub-attack-outpouring-of-unity-in-orlando-112708|website=Politico|date=June 12, 2017 |access-date=21 March 2018}} After the massacre, Nelson and Barbara Mikulski supported an increase in FBI funding.{{cite web|last1=Kim|first1=Seung Min |last2=Nussbaum |first2=Matthew|title=Senate Dems push to add money for FBI counter-terror efforts|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/fbi-funding-senate-democrats-224366|website=Politico|date=June 15, 2016 |access-date=21 March 2018}} A year after the massacre, Nelson attended a memorial at which he reiterated that it had "united Orlando and it united the country".{{cite web|title=One Year Later, Central Florida Remembers Pulse Nightclub Tragedy|url=https://www.wuft.org/news/2017/06/12/one-year-later-central-florida-remembers-pulse-nightclub-tragedy/|website=WUFT Florida|date=June 12, 2017 |access-date=March 19, 2018}}

Nelson supported the Terrorist Firearms Prevention Act of 2016.{{cite web|last1=Bergenruen|first1=Vera|last2=Henney|first2=Megan |title=Could this be the gun bill that has a chance?|url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article85149352.html|website=McClatchy|access-date=March 21, 2018}}

In August 2017, the Miami Herald urged Nelson to back Lindsey Graham's Taylor Force Act, 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 vote for the bill, which passed overwhelmingly.{{cite web|last1=Jacobs|first1=Phil|title=Booker Casts Vote Against Taylor Force Act|url=https://www.jewishlinknj.com/features/20171-booker-casts-vote-against-taylor-force-act%20;|website=Jewish Link of New Jersey|access-date=March 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821063835/http://www.jewishlinknj.com/features/20171-booker-casts-vote-against-taylor-force-act |archive-date=August 21, 2017|url-status=dead}}

In March 2010, Nelson voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,{{cite web|title=H.R. 3590 (111th): Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/111-2009/s396|website=govtrack.us|access-date=March 21, 2018}} also known as Obamacare, and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010,{{cite web |title=H.R. 4872 (111th): Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/111-2010/s105|website=govtrack.us|access-date=March 21, 2018}} which passed and were signed into law by President Obama.

In 2014, Nelson called for the expansion of Medicaid.{{cite web|last1=Nelson|first1=Bill|title=Bill Nelson: Expanding Medicaid good for Florida's health, economy|url=https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/bill-nelson-expanding-medicaid-good-for-floridas-health-economy/2175751/|website=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=March 21, 2018}}

In 2016, Nelson called the House Zika bill "a disaster", complaining that it would take "$500 million in health care funding away from Puerto Rico" and limit access to "birth control services needed to help curb the spread of the virus and prevent terrible birth defects."{{cite web|last1=King|first1=Ledyard|last2=Kelly|first2=Erin|title=Sen. Bill Nelson calls House Zika bill 'disaster' |url=http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/local/state/2016/06/23/sen-bill-nelson-calls-house-zika-bill-disaster/86323236/ |website=Tallahassee Democrat|access-date=March 22, 2018}} In 2017, he wrote a letter to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asking it to prioritize Zika prevention.{{Cite news|url=https://homelandprepnews.com/stories/24786-sen-nelson-asks-cdc-prioritize-zika-prevention-measures/ |title=Sen. Nelson asks CDC to prioritize Zika prevention measures|date=October 17, 2017|work=Homeland Preparedness News |access-date=November 7, 2017|language=en-US}}

In September 2017, Nelson and Susan Collins introduced the Reinsurance Act of 2017, an effort "to stabilize the health insurance marketplace". It would provide $2.25 billion to "reduce risk for insurance companies by providing funds to insurers for high-risk enrollees" and "help keep premiums in check".{{cite web|last1=Lawlor|first1=Joe|title=Sen. Collins teams up with Florida Democrat on bill to shore up ACA|url=http://www.pressherald.com/2017/09/19/collins-teams-up-with-florida-democrat-on-bill-to-shore-up-aca/|website=The Portland Press Herald|date=September 19, 2017 |access-date=March 22, 2018}}

In January 2017, Nelson wrote President Trump a letter protesting his immigration order. "Regardless of the constitutionality or legality of this Executive Order," he wrote, "I am deeply concerned that it may do more harm than good in our fight to keep America safe." U.S. success in the fight against terrorism, he argued, "depends on the cooperation and assistance of Muslims who reject radicalism and violence. Whether intended or not, this Executive Order risks alienating the very people we rely upon in the fight against terror."{{cite web|last1=Sherman|first1=Amy|title=Sen. Bill Nelson writes Trump letter protesting immigration order|url=http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2017/01/sen-bill-nelson-writes-trump-letter-protesting-immigration-order.html|website=Miami Herald|access-date=March 22, 2018}}

File:President Obama Visits Kennedy Space Center.jpg and Nelson visit Kennedy Space Center in April 2010]]

File:Transition Authorization Act Signing.jpg signs the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017]]

In March 2010, Nelson complained that President Obama had erred in canceling NASA's Constellation program.{{cite web |last=Kremer|first=Ken|title=Obama Made Mistake Cancelling NASAs Constellation|date=March 21, 2010 |url=http://www.universetoday.com/60294/obama-made-mistake-cancelling-nasas-constellation-sen-bill-nelson |publisher=Universe Today|access-date=February 10, 2012}} He argued against the $6 billion development of the Commercial Crew Program proposed by the Obama administration and for a NASA-developed heavy lift rocket built on Constellation's inheritance, which was later included in the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 and became SLS.{{Cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/sen-nelson-floats-alternate-use-nasa-commercial-crew-money/|title=Sen. Nelson Floats Alternate Use for NASA Commercial Crew Money|date=March 20, 2010|website=SpaceNews}} 11 years later, Charles Bolden (NASA administrator in 2010) said that Nelson's skepticism was common in Congress at the time and refused to call him an opponent of commercial crew.{{Cite web|url=https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/biden-picks-bill-nelson-as-next-nasa-administrator/|title=Biden Picks Bill Nelson as Next NASA Administrator}}

On July 7, 2011, it was reported that Nelson said Congress "starved" the space program of funding for several years, but suggested that the situation was turning around and called on the Obama administration to push for NASA funding.{{cite web |last=Parkinson|first=Tom|title=U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson Says Congress 'Starved' NASA of Funding|url=http://www.wmfe.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=11715&news_iv_ctrl=1041|publisher=WMFE|access-date=February 10, 2012 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210132112/http://www.wmfe.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle |archive-date=February 10, 2010}} In September 2011, Nelson and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison led the push to continue the development of Constellation's Ares V SLV in the form of Space Launch System.{{Cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-commits-building-mandated-heavy-lift-rocket/|title=NASA Commits To Building Mandated Heavy-lift Rocket|date=September 19, 2011|website=SpaceNews}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-14925154|title=SLS: The rocket in need of a destination|work=BBC News |date=September 14, 2011}}

In 2016, Nelson brokered a bipartisan compromise ending import of Russian RD-180 rocket engines.{{Cite web|url=https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/senate-agreement-reaches-on-russian-rd-180-engines/|title=Senate Reaches Agreement on Russian RD-180 Engines}}

In 2017 and 2018, Nelson sought to prevent Jim Bridenstine, Trump's nominee to head NASA, from being confirmed in the Senate.{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/18/jim-bridenstine-nasa-senate-492565|title=Senate advances Bridenstine to lead NASA|work=POLITICO|access-date=April 19, 2018}} Although Bridenstine had no formal qualifications in science or engineering, he refuted the "scientific consensus" on climate change. Bridenstine was ultimately confirmed.{{cite news|last1=Chang|first1=Kenneth|title=Trump's NASA Nominee, Jim Bridenstine, Confirmed by Senate on Party-Line Vote|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/19/science/jim-bridenstine-nasa.html|access-date=April 26, 2018|work=The New York Times|date=April 19, 2018}}

During his own confirmation hearing in 2021, Nelson reversed his earlier stances on the Commercial Crew Program and desirability of a NASA administrator without STEM education, and praised Bridenstine (who had endorsed him earlier).{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/550148-bill-nelson-is-a-born-again-supporter-of-commercial-space-at-nasa/|title=Bill Nelson is a born-again supporter of commercial space at NASA|first=Alexandra|last=Oliveira|date=April 25, 2021|website=The Hill}}

In June 2021, Nelson said of the future of U.S.-Russian cooperation in the International Space Station (ISS): "For decades, upwards now of 45 plus years [we've cooperated with] Russians in space, and I want that cooperation to continue. Your politics can be hitting heads on Earth, while you are cooperating" in space.{{cite news |title=NASA chief says Russia leaving ISS could kick off a space race |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/04/tech/nasa-russia-space-race-scn/index.html |work=CNN |date=June 4, 2021}}

On December 18, 2010, Nelson voted in favor of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010,{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00281 |title=Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2965 |publisher=U.S. Senate |date=December 18, 2010 |access-date=April 1, 2012}}{{cite news |url=http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/111/senate/2/281 |title=Senate Vote 281 – Repeals 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' |work=The New York Times |date=December 18, 2010 |access-date=April 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027055830/http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/111/senate/2/281 |archive-date=October 27, 2015}} which established a legal process for ending the policy that prevented gay and lesbian people from serving openly in the United States Armed Forces.

On April 4, 2013, Nelson announced that he no longer opposed same-sex marriage. He wrote, "The civil rights and responsibilities for one must pertain to all. Thus, to discriminate against one class and not another is wrong for me. 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."{{cite web|title=Florida Senator Bill Nelson no longer opposes gay marriage|url=http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2013/4/4/florida_senator_bill.html|publisher=CFN13|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407160106/http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2013/4/4/florida_senator_bill.html|archive-date=April 7, 2013|url-status=dead}}

Nelson voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 authorizing military action against Iraq.{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/107-2002/s237|title=H.J.Res. 114 (107th): Authorization for Use of Military Force Against ... -- Senate Vote #237 -- Oct 11, 2002|website=GovTrack.us|language=en|access-date=July 24, 2018}}

In July 2017, Nelson voted in favor of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act that placed sanctions on Iran together with Russia and North Korea.{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00175|title=U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 115th Congress - 1st Session|website=www.senate.gov|date=July 27, 2017}}

In September 2016, in advance of a UN Security Council resolution 2334 condemning Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, Nelson signed an AIPAC-sponsored letter urging President Obama to veto "one-sided" resolutions against Israel.{{cite news |title=Senate – Aipac |url=https://www.aipac.org/-/media/publications/policy-and-politics/aipac-analyses/issue-memos/2015/text-of-rounds-gillibrand-letter.pdf |date=September 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019210759/https://www.aipac.org/-/media/publications/policy-and-politics/aipac-analyses/issue-memos/2015/text-of-rounds-gillibrand-letter.pdf|archive-date=October 19, 2016}}

In March 2017, Nelson co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, Senate Bill 720, which permits U.S. states to enact laws that would require contractors to sign a pledge saying that they will not boycott Israeli goods or their contracts will be terminated.{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/720/cosponsors|title=Cosponsors - S.720 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Israel Anti-Boycott Act|date=March 23, 2017|website=www.congress.gov}}

In December 2017, Nelson supported President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.{{cite news |title=Florida reaction to Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel |url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2017/12/06/florida-reaction-to-trumps-recognition-of-jerusalem-as-capital-of-israel/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=December 6, 2017}}

In April 2017, Nelson called for tougher economic sanctions against Venezuela, which he called an "economic basket case".{{cite web|last1=Harris|first1=Alex|title=Senator Bill Nelson wants tougher sanctions against 'economic basket case' Venezuela |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/venezuela/article145270229.html|website=Miami Herald|access-date=March 22, 2018}}

Nelson opposed a 2009 spending bill until his concerns about certain provisions in the bill related to Cuba were assuaged by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who assured him that those provisions "would not amount to a major reversal of the decades-old U.S. policy of isolating the communist-run island."{{cite news|last1=Pelofsky|first1=Jeremy|last2=Cornwell|first2=Susan|title=US Senate nears passage of $410 bln spending bill|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN10540261|website=Reuters|date=March 10, 2009 |access-date=March 23, 2018}}

In 2006, on the bipartisan Iraq Study Group's recommendation, Nelson met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus to try to improve US-Syria relations and help stabilize Iraq.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/13/AR2006121302016.html|title=Defying Bush, Senator Visits Syria|last=Wright|first=Robin|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=December 14, 2006 |access-date=September 29, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829232425/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/13/AR2006121302016.html|archive-date=Aug 29, 2008|url-status=live}} He did this despite the United States Department of State and the White House saying they disapproved of the trip.{{cite news |last1=Plummer Flaherty |first1=Anne |title=washingtonpost.com > Nation > Wires Fla. Senator Defies Bush, Visits Syria |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/13/AR2006121300976.html |access-date=September 29, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 13, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111050041/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/13/AR2006121300976.html |archive-date=November 11, 2014 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Stolberg |first1=Sheryl Gay|title=White House Upset by Senator's Trip to Syria |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/15/world/middleeast/15syria.html |access-date=September 29, 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=December 15, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061220071204/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/15/world/middleeast/15syria.html |archive-date=Dec 20, 2006 |url-status=live}}

Following the destruction of Kosmos 1408 in an anti-satellite weapons test by Russia, Nelson said, "With its long and storied history in human spaceflight, it is unthinkable that Russia would endanger not only the American and international partner astronauts on the ISS, but also their own cosmonauts", and the "actions are reckless and dangerous, threatening as well the Chinese space station".{{Cite web|title=US says it 'won't tolerate' Russia's 'reckless and dangerous' anti-satellite missile test|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/15/politics/russia-anti-satellite-weapon-test-scn/index.html|url-status=live|website=CNN|date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115172924/https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/15/politics/russia-anti-satellite-weapon-test-scn/index.html |archive-date=November 15, 2021}}

In 2012, the National Rifle Association (NRA) gave Nelson an "F" rating for his support of gun control.{{cite web|title=This November Bill Nelson Need to go|url=https://www.nraila.org/campaigns/2012/bill-nelson/|website=NRA-ILA|publisher=National Rifle Association of America|access-date=October 4, 2017|language=en-us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807164906/https://www.nraila.org/campaigns/2012/bill-nelson/|archive-date=August 7, 2017|url-status=dead}} He advocated new gun control laws, including an assault weapons ban, a ban on magazines over ten rounds, and a proposal that would require universal background checks for people buying guns at gun shows.{{cite web |last=Vaughn |first=George |url=http://www.teapartynation.com/profiles/blogs/response-from-u-s-senator-fl-bill-nelson-re-gun-control |title=Response from U.S. Senator (FL) Bill Nelson RE: Gun Control |publisher=Tea Party Nation |date=January 23, 2013 |access-date=November 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610230231/http://www.teapartynation.com/profiles/blogs/response-from-u-s-senator-fl-bill-nelson-re-gun-control |archive-date=June 10, 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Bell|first1=Lisa|title=Sheriff Jerry Demings, Sen. Bill Nelson call for tougher gun laws|url=https://www.clickorlando.com/news/sheriff-jerry-demings-sen-bill-nelson-call-for-tougher-gun-laws|website=WKMG|access-date=October 4, 2017|date=January 15, 2013|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004135740/https://www.clickorlando.com/news/sheriff-jerry-demings-sen-bill-nelson-call-for-tougher-gun-laws|url-status=dead}}

In response to the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Nelson expressed remorse that the Feinstein Amendment, which would have banned the sale of guns to people on the terrorist watch list, and a Republican proposal to update background checks and to create an alert for law enforcement when a person is placed on the terrorist watch list, had failed to pass the Senate. He said: "What am I going to tell the community of Orlando that is trying to come together in the healing? Sadly, what I am going to have to tell them is that the NRA won again."{{cite web|last1=Griffin|first1=Larry|title=Bill Nelson on gun control laws: 'The NRA won again' - Florida Politics|url=http://floridapolitics.com/archives/214145-bill-nelson-gun-control-laws-nra-won|website=floridapolitics.com|date=June 21, 2016|access-date=October 4, 2017}} Both he and Marco Rubio supported the bills.{{cite web|last1=Leary|first1=Alex|title=Sens. Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson vote party line on gun bills|url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/sens-marco-rubio-and-bill-nelson-vote-party-line-on-gun-bills/2282473|website=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=October 4, 2017|language=en-us|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004190146/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/sens-marco-rubio-and-bill-nelson-vote-party-line-on-gun-bills/2282473|archive-date=October 4, 2017}}

In October 2017, after the Las Vegas shooting, Nelson and Dianne Feinstein sponsored a bill to ban bump stocks for assault weapons. "I'm a hunter and have owned guns my whole life", he said. "But these automatic weapons are not for hunting, they are for killing."{{cite web|last1=Powers|first1=Scott|title=Bill Nelson sponsors bill to ban bump stocks for assault weapons|url=http://floridapolitics.com/archives/246083-bill-nelson-sponsors-bill-ban-bump-stocks-assault-weapons|website=Florida Politics|access-date=March 22, 2018 |date=October 4, 2017}}

Nelson spread misinformation via Twitter after the Parkland high school shooting in 2018, falsely claiming that shooter Nikolas Cruz wore a gas mask and tossed smoke grenades as he shot people. After an April 2018 shooting in Liberty City, Nelson claimed that assault weapons had been used in the shooting, when in fact handguns were used.{{cite news |last1=Daugherty |first1=Alex |last2=Smiley |first2=David |title=Bill Nelson spreads wrong information after shootings in Liberty City, Parkland |url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/04/09/bill-nelson-spreads-wrong-information-after-shootings-in-liberty-city-parkland/ |access-date=August 28, 2018 |publisher=Tampa Bay Times |date=April 9, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Stapleton |first1=Christine |title=Nelson's false tweets catch attention of social media watchdogs |url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20180824/nelsons-false-tweets-catch-attention-of-social-media-watchdogs |access-date=August 28, 2018 |publisher=Sarasota Herald Tribune |date=August 24, 2018}}

In July 2017, Nelson introduced legislation to cut interest rates on student loans to 4 percent.{{cite web|last1=Bakeman|first1=Jessica|title=Graduate with $115K in debt challenges Nelson on his 'practical' approach to federal student loan reform|url=https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2017/07/14/student-with-115k-in-debt-challenges-nelson-on-his-practical-approach-to-federal-student-loan-reform-113411|website=Politico|date=July 14, 2017 |access-date=March 22, 2018}}

Nelson and Mel Martinez co-sponsored a 2006 bill banning oil drilling off Florida's Gulf Coast. In 2017 he said he wanted the ban to continue to 2027, but that it was "vigorously opposed by the oil industry." Along with 16 Florida congress members from both parties, he urged the Trump administration to keep the eastern Gulf of Mexico off limits to oil and gas drilling. "Drilling in this area," they wrote, "threatens Florida's multibillion-dollar tourism-driven economy and is incompatible with the military training and weapons testing that occurs there."{{cite web|last1=Perry|first1=Mitch|title=At Senate Commerce hearing in St. Pete, Bill Nelson vows to keep oil drilling moratorium|url=http://floridapolitics.com/archives/242801-senate-commerce-hearing-st-pete-bill-nelson-vows-keep-oil-drilling-moratorium|website=Florida Politics|date=August 11, 2017|access-date=March 23, 2018}}{{cite web|last1=Ritchie|first1=Bruce|title=Nelson, congressional members urge Trump administration against oil drilling off Florida|url=https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2017/03/nelson-congressional-members-urge-against-oil-drilling-off-florida-110676|website=Politico|date=March 24, 2017 |access-date=March 23, 2018}}{{cite web|last1=Owens|first1=Paul|title=Signs of hope in re-emerging bipartisan consensus on environment|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-ed-protect-florida-environment-bipartisan-consensus-20170331-story.html|website=Orlando Sentinel|date=March 31, 2017 |access-date=March 22, 2018}}

In 2011, Nelson co-sponsored the RESTORE Act, which directed money from BP fines to states affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.{{cite news|last1=Sherman|first1=Amy|title=Marco Rubio says oil spill fine money could go to Great Lakes and West Coast|url=http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2012/mar/22/marco-rubio/marco-rubio-oil-spill-fine-money-great-lakes/|access-date=March 12, 2018|agency=Tampa Bay Times|publisher=PolitiFact Florida|date=March 22, 2012}}

On June 27, 2013, Nelson co-sponsored what became the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2014, which reauthorized and modified the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 and authorized the appropriation of $20.5 million annually through 2018 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to mitigate the harmful effects of algal blooms and hypoxia.{{cite web|title=CBO – S. 1254|date=May 23, 2014|url=http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45393|publisher=Congressional Budget Office|access-date=June 9, 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Marcos|first1=Cristina|title=This week: Lawmakers to debate appropriations, VA, student loans|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/scheduling/208546-this-week-lawmakers-to-debate-appropriations-va-student-loans/|access-date=June 10, 2014|work=The Hill|date=June 9, 2014}}

In 2015, after Gov. Rick Scott directed Florida officials to stop using the terms "climate change" and "global warming," Nelson introduced an amendment to prevent federal agencies from censoring official communications on climate change. It "fell to a point of order after a 51-49 vote, though Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Nelson in supporting the amendment."{{cite web|title=BUDGET RESOLUTIONS SET STAGE FOR APPROPRIATIONS; FARM BILL RE-OPENING STILL A POSSIBILITY|url=http://sustainableagriculture.net/blog/fy-16-budget-resolutions-set-stage/|website=National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition|date=March 27, 2015|access-date=March 23, 2018}}{{cite web|last1=Depra|first1=Dianne|title=Senator Bill Nelson Speaks Out Against Government Employee Ban On Climate Change|url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/42621/20150328/senator-bill-nelson-speaks-out-against-government-employee-ban-on-climate-change.htm|website=Tech Times|date=March 28, 2015|access-date=March 23, 2018}}

After Hurricane Maria in 2017, Nelson and Rubio agreed that Trump had taken too long to send the U.S. military to Puerto Rico to take part in relief efforts. "For one week we were slow at the switch," Nelson said in San Juan. "The most efficient organization in a time of disaster is an organization that is already capable of long supply lines in combat. And that's the U.S. military."{{cite web|last1=PADGETT|first1=TIM|title=Senator Bill Nelson Criticizes Slow U.S. Response In Puerto Rico; Praises Military Effort|url=http://wlrn.org/post/senator-bill-nelson-criticizes-slow-us-response-puerto-rico-praises-military-effort|website=WLRN|date=October 16, 2017|access-date=March 23, 2018}} After Hurricane Maria led many Puerto Ricans to flee to Florida, Nelson encouraged them to register to vote there.{{cite web|last1=MAZZEI|first1=PATRICIA|title=Sen. Nelson wants Puerto Ricans newly arrived in Florida to register to vote|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article179017286.html|website=Miami Herald|access-date=March 23, 2018}}

Nelson was criticized for sending campaign fundraising emails in the wake of Hurricane Irma.{{cite news|last1=Leary|first1=Alex|title=GOP: Bill Nelson fundraising email a 'new level of tone deaf'|url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2017/09/28/gop-bill-nelson-fundraising-email-a-new-level-of-tone-deaf/|access-date=April 27, 2018|work=Tampa Bay Times|date=September 28, 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Dixon|first1=Matt|title=NRSC thumps Nelson over Hurricane Irma fundraising email|url=https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2017/09/28/nrsc-thumps-nelson-over-hurricane-irma-fundraising-email-114772|access-date=April 27, 2018|work=Politico PRO|publisher=Politico|date=September 28, 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Schorsch|first1=Peter|title=Bill Nelson fundraises off Irma again, Republicans say it's 'disgusting'|url=http://floridapolitics.com/archives/246724-bill-nelson-fundraises-off-irma-republicans-say-disgusting|access-date=April 27, 2018|work=Florida Politics|date=October 12, 2017}}

Nelson opposed and filibustered the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.{{cite web|last1=Leary|first1=Alex|title=Right and left pressure Florida Sen. Bill Nelson over Supreme Court nominee decision|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/right-and-left-pressure-florida-sen-bill-nelson-to-support-gorsuch-for/2312558/|website=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=March 23, 2018}}

In 2007, Nelson was the only Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee to vote against an amendment to withhold funds for the use by the CIA of torture on terrorism suspects. His vote, combined with those of all Republican members of the committee, killed the measure.Shane, Scott. [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/01/washington/01intel.html "Senate Panel Questions C.I.A. Detentions"]. New York Times. June 1, 2007. Retrieved December 16, 2009.

In January 2018, Nelson voted to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the National Security Agency to extend a program of warrantless spying on internet and phone networks.{{cite news|last1=Ianelli|first1=Jerry|title=Florida's Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson Votes to Extend Trump's NSA Spying Powers|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/florida-senator-bill-nelson-votes-for-nsa-spying-program-10006451|access-date=January 19, 2018|publisher=Miami New Times|date=January 18, 2018}} In 2015, he had called for a permanent extension of the law.{{cite news|last1=Perry|first1=Mitch|title=Bill Nelson calls for permanent extension of Section 702 of FISA Amendment Act|url=http://floridapolitics.com/archives/195560-bill-nelson-calls-for-permanent-extension-of-section-702-of-fisa-amendment-act|access-date=January 19, 2018|publisher=Florida Politics|date=November 30, 2015}}

During a congressional hearing, when queried about China’s lunar ambitions targeting the moon's far side, Nelson mistakenly said, "They are going to have a lander on the far side of the moon, which is the side that is always in dark" (the far side does receive sunlight).{{Cite news |last=Strickland |first=Ashley |date=May 3, 2024 |title=The lunar far side is wildly different from what we see. Scientists want to know why |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/03/world/lunar-far-side-moon-exploration-scn/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602062111/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/03/world/lunar-far-side-moon-exploration-scn/index.html |archive-date=June 2, 2024 |work=CNN}} The incident fueled debate amid a burgeoning space race narrative,{{Cite news |last=Sauers |first=Elisha |date=April 27, 2024 |title=What's on the far side of the moon? Well, not darkness. |url=https://mashable.com/article/far-side-dark-moon-explained |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902075221/https://mashable.com/article/far-side-dark-moon-explained |archive-date=September 2, 2024 |work=Mashable}} with China’s comprehensive lunar initiatives, including the Chang'e missions, and the Artemis program, both vying to send astronauts back to the moon.

Nelson received campaign contributions from Saudi Arabia's lobbyists.{{Cite news |last=Farivar |first=Masood |date=October 30, 2018 |title=Report Says Saudi-hired Lobbyists Give Millions to Influence US Congress |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/report-says-saudi-hired-lobbyists-give-millions-to-influence-us-congress/4635576.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705225748/https://www.voanews.com/a/report-says-saudi-hired-lobbyists-give-millions-to-influence-us-congress/4635576.html |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |work=VOA News}} In June 2017, he voted to support Trump's $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia.{{Cite news |last=Carney |first=Jordain |date=June 13, 2017 |title=Senate rejects effort to block Saudi arms sale |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/337614-senate-rejects-effort-to-block-saudi-arms-sale/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504235155/https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/337614-senate-rejects-effort-to-block-saudi-arms-sale/ |archive-date=May 4, 2024 |work=The Hill}} In March 2018, Nelson voted against Bernie Sanders's and Chris Murphy's bill to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war.{{Cite news |last=Iannelli |first=Jerry |date=March 21, 2018 |title=Sen. Bill Nelson Votes to Continue Helping Saudi Arabia Kill Yemeni Citizens |url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/florida-senator-bill-nelson-votes-for-yemen-war-10192904 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418022911/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/florida-senator-bill-nelson-votes-for-yemen-war-10192904 |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |work=Miami New Times}}

On August 7, 2018, Nelson claimed that Russian operatives had penetrated some of Florida's election systems ahead of the 2018 midterm elections; the claim was contentious during his 2018 reelection bid.{{Cite news |date=August 19, 2018 |title=Florida election officials seek info as support builds for Bill Nelson's Russian-hack claim |url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/08/19/florida-election-officials-seek-info-as-support-builds-for-bill-nelsons-russian-hack-claim/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924011014/https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/08/19/florida-election-officials-seek-info-as-support-builds-for-bill-nelsons-russian-hack-claim/ |archive-date=September 24, 2023 |access-date=August 29, 2018 |work=Tampa Bay Times |agency=Miami Herald}} He said that more detailed information was classified.{{Cite news |last1=Leary |first1=Alex |last2=Bousquet |first2=Steve |last3=Wilson |first3=Kirby |date=August 9, 2018 |orig-date=August 8, 2018 |title=Bill Nelson: The Russians have penetrated some Florida voter registration systems |url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/08/08/bill-nelson-the-russians-have-penetrated-some-florida-voter-election-systems/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903003939/https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/08/08/bill-nelson-the-russians-have-penetrated-some-florida-voter-election-systems/ |archive-date=September 3, 2024 |access-date=August 8, 2018 |work=Tampa Bay Times}} At the time, fact-checkers did not have evidence to backup Nelson's claims,{{Cite news |last=Rizzo |first=Salvador |date=August 17, 2018 |title=Has Russia hacked into Florida's election system in 2018? There is no evidence. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/08/17/has-russia-hacked-into-floridas-election-system-theres-no-evidence/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817093013/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/08/17/has-russia-hacked-into-floridas-election-system-theres-no-evidence/ |archive-date=August 17, 2018 |access-date=August 27, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite news |last=Sherman |first=Amy |date=August 22, 2018 |title=Fact-checking Sen. Bill Nelson's claims about Russia hacking Florida's election system |url=https://www.politifact.com/florida/article/2018/aug/22/fact-checking-sen-bill-nelsons-claims-about-russia/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422061930/https://www.politifact.com/article/2018/aug/22/fact-checking-sen-bill-nelsons-claims-about-russia/ |archive-date=April 22, 2023 |access-date=August 28, 2018 |work=PolitiFact}} but later that August, "three people familiar with the intelligence" told NBC News "that there is a classified basis for Nelson's assertion" because "VR Systems had been penetrated in August 2016 by hackers working for" GRU.{{Cite news |last=Dilanian |first=Ken |title=Bill Nelson wasn't making things up when he said Russians hacked Florida election systems |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/bill-nelson-wasn-t-making-things-when-he-said-russians-n901701 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528043516/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/bill-nelson-wasn-t-making-things-when-he-said-russians-n901701 |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |access-date=August 27, 2018 |work=NBC News}}

A government official familiar with the intelligence told The McClatchy Company that Russian hackers had penetrated some of Florida's county voting systems in 2016. DHS spokesperson Sarah Sendek said that the agency has "not seen any new compromises by Russian actors of election infrastructure." The Tampa Bay Times reported that leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee had told Nelson of a penetration of some of Florida's voter registration databases in 2016.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and FBI director Christopher Wray denied Nelson's claims in a letter to Florida election officials.{{Cite news |last=Rohrer |first=Gray |date=August 21, 2018 |title=Homeland Security, FBI say Florida election system has not been hacked |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/political-pulse/os-russian-hacking-nelson-claim-20180821-story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821184811/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/political-pulse/os-russian-hacking-nelson-claim-20180821-story.html |archive-date=August 21, 2018 |access-date=August 28, 2018 |work=Orlando Sentinel}} Amid the criticism, Nelson defended his assertions, saying that Senate Intelligence Committee leaders Mark Warner and Richard Burr had instructed him and fellow Florida Senator Marco Rubio to warn the Florida secretary of state about Russian interference.{{Cite news |last=Herb |first=Jeremy |date=August 22, 2018 |title=Senate Intel leaders asked only Florida senators to send letter on Russia hacking threats |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/22/politics/senate-intelligence-russia-hacking-florida/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422034104/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/22/politics/senate-intelligence-russia-hacking-florida/index.html |archive-date=April 22, 2023 |access-date=August 29, 2018 |work=CNN}} Warner and Burr neither confirmed nor denied Nelson's claim that Florida's systems had been penetrated, while Rubio took "a line on the controversy similar to Burr and Warner's". The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, a conservative watchdog group, filed an ethics complaint against Nelson, saying that he "discussed classified information or made it up".{{Cite news |last1=Leary |first1=Alex |date=August 23, 2018 |title=Group files ethics complaint against Bill Nelson over Russia hacking claim |url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/08/23/group-files-ethics-complaint-against-bill-nelson-over-russia-hacking-claim/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422093749/https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/08/23/group-files-ethics-complaint-against-bill-nelson-over-russia-hacking-claim/ |archive-date=April 22, 2023 |access-date=August 28, 2018 |work=Tampa Bay Times}}

Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation on Russian interference in the 2016 election, which concluded in 2019, found that Russian intelligence officials "sent spearphishing emails to over 120 email accounts used by Florida county officials responsible for administering the 2016 U.S. election" and that "at least one Florida county" was successfully penetrated.{{Cite news |last=Lemongello |first=Steven |date=May 6, 2019 |title=Rubio knew about election hacking but was restricted in what he could say in Nelson's defense |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-rubio-russian-hacking-florida-20190506-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421123302/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-rubio-russian-hacking-florida-20190506-story.html |archive-date=April 21, 2023 |access-date=May 7, 2019 |work=Orlando Sentinel}} In August 2018, federal authorities said they saw no signs of any "new or ongoing compromises" of state or local election systems.{{Cite news |last=Fineout |first=Gary |date=August 26, 2018 |title=Russian meddling comments weigh on US Sen. Nelson's campaign |url=https://apnews.com/domestic-news-domestic-news-senate-elections-united-states-senate-general-news-0b6b74048e524d0ea737b6f8c350d4fd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905073004/https://apnews.com/domestic-news-domestic-news-senate-elections-united-states-senate-general-news-0b6b74048e524d0ea737b6f8c350d4fd |archive-date=September 5, 2024 |publisher=Associated Press |place=Tallahassee, Fla.}} In May 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis said that voter databases in two counties had been successfully penetrated ahead of the 2016 presidential election.{{Cite news |last=Farrington |first=Brendan |date=May 14, 2019 |title=DeSantis: Russians accessed 2 Florida voting databases |url=https://apnews.com/general-news-a2af9039533b42bba0e4e04af11ecd67 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803002925/https://apnews.com/general-news-a2af9039533b42bba0e4e04af11ecd67 |archive-date=August 3, 2024 |access-date=May 14, 2019 |publisher=Associated Press |place=Tallahassee, Fla.}}

In 1972, Nelson married Grace Cavert. The couple has two adult children, Charles William "Bill Jr." Nelson and Nan Ellen Nelson.

{{Election box begin |title=Florida State House of Representatives election 1972{{Cite news |last=Lawrence |first=D. G. |date=November 8, 1972 |title=Democrats Retain Hold On Florida Legislature |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-democrats-retain-ho/154685533/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905072206/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-democrats-retain-ho/154685533/ |archive-date=September 5, 2024 |work=Orlando Sentinel |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com |volume=88 |issue=178}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Nelson

| votes = 26,771

| percentage = 68.9

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = David Vozzola

| votes = 12,078

| percentage = 31.1

| change =

}}

{{End}}

{{Election box begin |title=Florida 9th District U.S. House of Representatives election 1978}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Nelson

| votes = 89,543

| percentage = 61.5

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Edward J. Gurney

| votes = 56,074

| percentage = 38.5

| change =

}}

{{End}}

{{Election box begin |title=Florida 9th District U.S. House of Representatives election 1980}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Nelson (Incumbent)

| votes = 139,468

| percentage = 70.4

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Stan Dowiat

| votes = 58,734

| percentage = 29.6

| change =

}}

{{End}}

{{Election box begin |title=Florida 11th District U.S. House of Representatives election 1982}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Nelson (Incumbent)

| votes = 101,746

| percentage = 70.6

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Joel Robinson

| votes = 42,422

| percentage = 29.4

| change =

}}

{{End}}

{{Election box begin |title=Florida 11th District U.S. House of Representatives election 1984}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Nelson (Incumbent)

| votes = 145,764

| percentage = 60.5

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Rob Quartel

| votes = 95,115

| percentage = 39.5

| change =

}}

{{End}}

{{Election box begin |title=Florida 11th District U.S. House of Representatives election 1986}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Nelson (Incumbent)

| votes = 149,109

| percentage = 72.7

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Scott Ellis

| votes = 55,952

| percentage = 27.3

| change =

}}

{{End}}

{{Election box begin |title=Florida 11th District U.S. House of Representatives election 1988}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Nelson (Incumbent)

| votes = 168,390

| percentage = 60.8

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Tolley

| votes = 108,373

| percentage = 39.2

| change =

}}

{{End}}

{{Election box begin |title=Florida Governor, Democratic primary election 1990}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Lawton Chiles

| votes = 745,325

| percentage = 69.5

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Nelson

| votes = 327,731

| percentage = 30.5

| change =

}}

{{End}}

{{Election box begin |title=Florida State Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, and Fire Marshal election 1994}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Nelson

| votes = 2,070,604

| percentage = 51.7

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tim Ireland

| votes = 1,933,570

| percentage = 48.3

| change =

}}

{{End}}

{{Election box begin |title=Florida State Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner and Fire Marshal election 1998}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Nelson (Incumbent)

| votes = 2,195,283

| percentage = 56.5

| change = +4.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tim Ireland

| votes = 1,687,712

| percentage = 43.5

| change = -4.8

}}

{{End}}

{{Election box begin |title=Florida U.S. Senate election 2000}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Nelson

| votes = 2,987,644

| percentage = 52.1

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill McCollum

| votes = 2,703,608

| percentage = 47.2

| change =

}}

{{End}}

{{Election box begin |title=Florida U.S. Senate election 2006}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Nelson (Incumbent)

| votes = 2,890,548

| percentage = 60.3

| change = +9.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Katherine Harris

| votes = 1,826,127

| percentage = 38.1

| change =

}}

{{End}}

{{Election box begin |title=Florida U.S. Senate election 2012}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Nelson (Incumbent)

| votes = 4,523,451

| percentage = 55.23

| change = -5.07

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Connie Mack IV

| votes = 3,458,267

| percentage = 42.23

| change = +4.13

}}

{{End}}

{{Election box begin |title=Florida U.S. Senate election 2018}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Rick Scott

| votes = 4,099,505

| percentage = 50.1%

| change = +7.87

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Nelson (Incumbent)

| votes = 4,089,472

| percentage = 49.9%

| change = -5.33

}}

{{End}}

{{reflist}}

• {{CongLinks | congbio=n000032 | votesmart=1606 | fec=S8FL00166 | congress=clarence-nelson/N000032}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/nelson-b.pdf |title=BILL NELSON (SENATOR), PAYLOAD SPECIALIST, NASA astronaut biography |date=July 2008 |access-date=April 19, 2021}}

{{Portal|Biography}}

{{Commons}}

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• {{C-SPAN|1931}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Nelson, Bill}}

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