Ben Nelson challenges incumbent pro-life Governor Kay Orr; in the General Election he is not endorsed because NRL PAC abides by its policy of giving a sole endorsement to the pro-life incumbent. Nelson wins.

Some in GOP circles are complaining that NRL PAC policy is not fair and that ALL pro-life candidates should be endorsed at ALL times. Curiously they don’t complain when the NRL PAC sole endorsement goes to a Republican incumbent. Then they are strangely silent. As can be seen from the above record; NRL PAC is consistent in its approach of invoking its sole endorsement for the incumbent policy; whether they are Republican or Democrat

SENATOR NELSON'S RECORD

THE FOLLOWING IS A COMPILATION FROM SENATOR NELSON'S CAMPAIGN OF HIS RECORD AS GOVERNOR AND SENATOR. ADD THE TIMES HE DIVERTED FROM NRL POSITION ON MEXICO CITY POLICY, OVERSEAS POPULATION FUNDING AND YOU CAN SEE THIS IS AN EXTENSIVE SUMMATION OF HIS RECORD.  NRL PAC DOES NOT REQUIRE A 100% RATING IN ORDER TO GIVE A SOLE ENDORSEMENT TO THE INCUMBENT WHICH IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

BEN NELSON: A PRO LIFE SENATOR

Ben Nelson is Pro Life and strongly supports the right to life.  From his
first day in public life, he has worked to reduce the number of abortions.
As Governor and as Senator, Nelson was a strong supporter of the partial
birth abortion ban.  He will continue to work to prevent taxpayer funding of
abortions and supports stronger restrictions on abortion.

Nelson is Strongly Pro-Life:

Nelson Opposed Reaffirming Roe v. Wade and a Woman's Right to an Abortion.
Nelson is a pro-life Senator.  In 2003, he voted against reaffirming the
correctness of the Roe v. Wade decision.  The Associated Press reported that
Nelson has "consistently supported measures to protect the unborn" during
his political careers." [Vote #48, 3/12/2003, amendment passed 52-46,
Associated Press, Hastings Tribune, 2/27/2004] Nelson Voted that Life Begins
at the Moment of Conception.  In 2004, Nelson voted against a substitute to
the Unborn Victims of Violence Act that would provide the same penalties,
but removes language defining life as beginning at the moment of conception.
[Vote #61, HR 1997, amendment failed 49-50, 3/25/2004]

Nelson voted for the two most recent Supreme Court Justice appointments:
John Roberts in 2005 and Samuel Alito in 2006.

Nelson Voted against Expanding Federal Funding to Additional Stem Cell
Lines.  In 2006, Nelson voted against a bill seeking to expand federal
funding for embryonic stem cell research.   Nelson supported the President's
decision to allow federal funding to be used for research on stem cell lines
that were in existence prior to August 9, 2001. He also supports using
federal funds for research on umbilical cord, placenta, adult and animal
stem cells, which do not involve the same moral dilemma, but also hold great
promise for finding cures for disease.  [Vote # 206, HR 810, bill passed
63-37, 7/18/2006]

Nelson Has Consistently Supported a Ban on Partial Birth Abortions:

As Governor, Nelson Signed Nebraska's Partial Birth Abortion Ban.  Nelson
signed the Nebraska ban into law as governor.  [OWH, 6/4/2003] Nelson Was a
Leader in Passing the Partial Birth Abortion Ban.  In 2003, Nelson
cosponsored and voted for the partial birth abortion ban that would prohibit
all post-viability abortions.  [S.3, 2/14/2003, PL 108-105, 11/5/2003, Vote
#51, amendment passed 64-33, 3.13.2003].  Nelson also voted for the
Conference Report of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Bill.  [Vote #402, S.3,
bill passed 64-34, 10/21/2003] Nelson Voted Three Times Against Weakening
the Ban on Partial Birth Abortions.  In 2003, Nelson resisted attempts to
weaken the partial birth abortion ban.  Nelson voted against adding a health
exception to the ban, against delaying it, and against banning partial-birth
abortion except when two physicians certify that a continuation of the
pregnancy would threaten the mother's life or risk grievous injury to her
physical health.  [Vote #49, amendment failed 35-60, 3/12/2003, Vote #47,
motion to commit failed 42-56, 3/12/2003, Vote #46, motion to table passed
60-38, 3/12/2003]

Nelson Opposes Discrimination Against Groups That Refuse to Perform Abortions:

Nelson Cosponsored the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act.  In 2003, Nelson was
an original cosponsor of the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act of 2003. This
bill prohibits the Federal Government, and any State or local government
that receives Federal financial assistance, from discriminating against any
health care entity because it refuses to provide coverage of, or pay for,
induced abortions. [S.1397, 7/14/2003, referred to committee, 7/14/2003].
In 2005, Nelson again became an original cosponsor of the Abortion
Non-Discrimination Act.  [S. 1983, 11/9/2005, referred to committee,
11/9/2005]

Nelson Has Worked to Make Abortions More Difficult:

As Governor, Nelson Signed Measures to Restrict Abortions, Such as Mandatory
Waiting Periods and Parental Consent Laws.  As Governor, Nelson signed into
law certain measures to restrict abortions.  Nelson signed legislation to
require parental consent for minors, and mandatory waiting periods and
counseling for all women seeking an abortion.  [Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-326,
28-327, 28-327.01, Neb. Rev. Stat. 71-6901 to 6909]

Nelson Cosponsored the Child Custody Protection Act.  In 2005, Nelson
cosponsored the Child Custody Protection Act to prohibit taking minors
across State lines in circumvention of laws requiring the involvement of
parents in abortion decisions.  [S.8, 1/24/2005, referred to committee,
1/24/2005, S.403, placed on the calendar, 2/27/2005]

Nelson Opposes Federal Funding of Abortions:

Nelson Voted Twice Against Allowing Abortions at Overseas Military
Facilities.  In 2003, Nelson voted against allowing overseas military
facilities to provide privately-funded abortions for women who are in the
military.  [Vote #160, HR 4546, amendment passed 52-40, 6/21/2002, Vote
#192, HR 1588, amendment failed 48-51, 5/22/2003]

Nelson Supported the Unborn Victims of Violence Act:

Nelson Worked for Passage of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act.  In 2003,
Nelson cosponsored and voted for the Unborn Victims on Violence Act that
creates a separate offense for harming or killing an "unborn child" in utero
during the commission of specified violent crimes.  [S.1019, 5/7/2003, HR
1997 became PL 108-212, 4/1/2002, Vote #63, HR 1997, bill passed 61-38,
3/25/2004] 

Nelson Voted Against Promoting the Availability ofContraceptives:

Nelson Voted Against Improving the Availability of Contraceptives for Women.
In 2003, Nelson voted against an amendment to improve the availability of
contraceptives for women. The amendment would have prohibited health
insurance plans from discriminating against contraception.  [Vote #45,
3/11/2003, motion to waive failed 48-48]

Endorsements: