Just weeks after he reversed positions to support an earmark moratorium, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) is returning to his big-spending ways, pledging to “keep…fighting for” pork-barrel earmarks after all.

As National Journal’s “Hotline On Call” reported at the time of Nelson’s flip-flop, the liberal incumbent’s support of the earmark ban demonstrated that he was “trying to guard [his] right flank on spending,” as the issue of fiscal responsibility continues to drive the nation’s electorate as a “a dominant political issue.” Federal spending and the country’s debt have become particularly critical issues in Florida, which faces high unemployment and has become “more red after the election results this year.”

“If Senator Nelson really believes spending is out of control and earmarks need to be banned, why is he now preparing to seek more earmarks?” asked National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Press Secretary Chris Bond. “He can’t have it both ways when it comes to his party bosses’ disastrous fiscal agenda, and Nelson’s big-spending record is sure to be front-and-center as he prepares to face Floridians at the ballot box.”

Background Information:

Bill Nelson Opposed A Republican Proposal To Ban Earmarks

On November 15, Bill Nelson Said “There’s A Place” For Earmark Spending. “But one immediate disagreement with Nelson arose: Rubio favors a Republican ban on congressional earmarks, or pork barrel spending. Nelson says there’s a place for such spending and pointed to a project in Rubio’s backyard: dredging the Port of Miami.” (Lesley Clark, “Florida Senate-Elect Rubio Brings The Buzz To Capitol Hill,” The Miami Herald, 11/16/10)

“Nelson Said He Told Rubio That If It Wasn’t For Earmarking, The State Might Not Be Line For A Nuclear Aircraft Carrier At Mayport Naval Station In Jacksonville. ‘If I didn’t attend to that appropriation, the Virginia delegation was going to eliminate a carrier coming into Florida,’ Nelson said.” (Lesley Clark, “Florida Senate-Elect Rubio Brings The Buzz To Capitol Hill,” The Miami Herald, 11/16/10)

“Nelson Pointed Out That Ports In Miami And Jacksonville Are Counting On Earmarks To Help Them Dredge Their Channels To Prepare For Larger Cargo Ships Coming Through The Panama Canal In 2015.” (Lesley Clark, “Florida Senate-Elect Rubio Brings The Buzz To Capitol Hill,” The Miami Herald, 11/16/10)

“‘That Is Huge To Florida, To Trade, To Jobs, To Economic Activity That All Of Those Big Cargo Ships Coming Through The Panama Canal Come To Florida Ports, Instead Of Going To Savannah And Charlestown,’ Nelson Said. ‘Those Are The Hard Realities When We Talk Of Earmarks.’” (Lesley Clark, “Florida Senate-Elect Rubio Brings The Buzz To Capitol Hill,” The Miami Herald, 11/16/10)

Two Weeks Later, Nelson Flip-Flopped To Support An Earmark Ban

On November 30, Nelson Voted With Republicans For An Earmark Ban. “Coburn, R-Okla., motion to suspend Rule 22 to permit the consideration of a Coburn amendment no. 4697 that would establish a point of order against consideration of legislation containing both earmarks and limited benefits in the tax code, including limited tariff benefits.” (S. 510, CQ Vote #255: Rejected 39-56: R 32-8; D 7-46; I 0-2, 11/30/10, Nelson Voted Yea)

Seven Weeks Later, Nelson Flip-Flopped Again, Promising To Seek Earmarks

On January 22, Nelson’s Spokesman Promised He Would “Keep…Fighting For” Earmarks.” “Bryan Gulley, the senator’s spokesman, said… ‘But the [earmark ban] measure failed. So he’s going to keep doing his job fighting for major projects that create jobs and bolster Florida’s economy, like high-speed rail, Everglades, ports and research at our universities.’” (Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, “Collier Seeks $30 Million Of Federal Projects As Congress Trims Earmarks,” Naples Daily News, 1/22/11)