Nelson doesn't regret cutting flu money

Nelson doesn't regret cutting flu money
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska says he doesn’t regret his role in helping force $870 million designated for fighting the flu out of the federal stimulus bill.

The Nebraska Democrat’s remarks Wednesday came a Nebraska health officials reported the state’s first probable case of swine flu, which has created a global health concern.

Nelson and Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine forced the money out of the stimulus bill after complaints that money for the flu didn’t jibe with Democrats’ promises to limit the bill to items that directly generated jobs.

But roughly $776 million in flu-fighting money was included in an omnibus spending bill passed last month.

Nelson also noted that President Obama has requested $1.5 billion in emergency funding for flu vaccines — a move Nelson supports.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10622169

and I'm beginning to wonder seriously about whether he might lack a conscience.

:)

from a conservative state like Nebraska.

The best we can hope to do is change bodies every few years to keep them less powerful.