Speeches
Jun
24
2013
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), an outspoken critic of admitted leaker Edward Snowden, suggested Russian President Vladimir Putin may be pulling some strings in the still unfolding story. Following is an excerpt from a speech the Florida Democrat gave on the Senate floor...
May
27
2013
Prepared remarks for event at Jacksonville National Cemetery
You know, one of the greatest honors I have as your senator is getting to meet some of the brave men and women who are serving or who have served our country in the military.
I was in Tampa not too long ago, where I pinned a long-overdue Silver Star Medal on a retired ArmySpecial Forces radio operator. ...
Dec
19
2012
Senate Judiciary Committee hearing
Chairmen Leahy and Ranking Member Grassley, thank you for holding this hearing on “The State of the Right to Vote After the November 2012 Election.”
Our goal is get to the bottom of why many places around the country, including my home state of Florida, experienced embarrassingly long lines at the polls and...
Jun
29
2011
Floor statement
“Days after working at the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba, a U.S. Navy veteran found himself behind bars -- where he could remain for a decade -- for alleged passport fraud.”
I had to read that article twice, when I saw it on CNN’s website.
But that’s what it said. Former U.S. Petty Officer 2nd Class...
Feb
17
2011
Floor statement
Mr. NELSON of Florida: Mr. President, on August 21, 1944, laden with precious cargo for the Pacific theatre, the USS Mount Hood, the lead ship of her class for the U.S. Navy, departed Norfolk on her first mission. On board were 296 sailors and 22 officers.
The USS Mount Hood reached Manus Island, a...
Feb
3
2011
Floor statement
Madam President, it is very apparent that President Mubarak must step down. The longer he waits to realize he has to step down, the more difficult it is going to be in order to have an orderly transition and to keep the peace in Egypt. The longer he waits to announce he is stepping down immediately, the...
Jan
26
2011
Floor statement
Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, whenever a Senator, such as Senator Pryor from Arkansas, has to announce to the Senate the loss of a near personal friend, especially one he has been friends with, and with their parents, for years, it is always a tremendous loss.
We are coming up in a couple of days...
May
10
2010
Prepared testimony for the EPW committee
Following is an advance copy of Nelson’s prepared testimony for the EPW committee:
Madame Chairman, it is unfortunate that I am here today - because it means one of my worst nightmares might be coming true.
If the underwater gusher in the Gulf of Mexico continues unabated, oil from the...
Mar
25
2010
Floor statement
Mr. President, for the first time, we as a nation are recognizing that people have a right to not be destroyed by sickness.
Under the Senate bill passed by the House and signed into law by the president - folks will no longer have to choose between their health and their pocketbooks.
Parents will no longer...
Jan
28
2010
“Based on initial reports about the administration’s plan for NASA, they are replacing lost shuttle jobs in Florida too slowly, risking U.S. leadership in space to China and Russia, and relying too heavily on unproven commercial companies.
“If the $6 billion in extra funding is for a commercial rocket, then...