Nelson gets appropriations seat

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BY DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Newly re-elected Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson gained a seat Tuesday on the Senate’s coveted Appropriations Committee.

The assignment gives Nebraska’s centrist senator a role in shaping federal spending levels and added influence in attempting to protect the state’s interests.

Nelson said he’ll approach the task with three goals in mind:

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Nelson

Nelson

* identify and reduce needless spending.

* improve transparency and accountability in the appropriations process.

* work with local officials in Nebraska to “ensure Nebraska priorities are recognized in the Senate.”

What that means, Nelson said in a telephone interview, is that “Nebraska is going to get its fair share now.”

Nelson said he’ll be in better position to champion funding for projects like Antelope Valley development in Lincoln, the Heartland Expressway in the Panhandle, and research projects at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“The Medical Center and UNL have demonstrated capabilities that will be recognized,” he said. “In the past, most of the attention went to schools on either coast. Institutions in Nebraska will have a voice on the committee now.”

While taking a seat on the Appropriations Committee, headed by Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., Nelson will keep his membership on the Agriculture and Armed Services Committees. He’s in line to be chairman of the latter’s military personnel subcommittee.

The Ag Committee will craft a new farm bill next year, and Armed Services is viewed as a vital platform to protect the interests of Offutt Air Force Base and its U.S. Strategic Command.

When the Senate moves from Republican to Democratic control in January, Nelson will leave his seat on the Commerce Committee to assume the appropriations role.

Nelson will be the sixth senator from Nebraska to serve on the Appropriations Committee, and the first since Bob Kerrey’s 1989-1996 tenure.

Others have included Republicans Roman Hruska (1959-1976) and Kenneth Wherry (1945-51).

Republicans will announce their committee assignments later. Sen. Chuck Hagel has no plans to move from the Foreign Relations, Banking and Intelligence Committees.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.