Bill Nelson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bill Nelson
Official portrait, 2021
14th Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
In office May 3, 2021 – January 20, 2025
President	Joe Biden
Deputy	Pamela Melroy
Preceded by	Jim Bridenstine
Succeeded by	Janet Petro
United States Senator from Florida
In office January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2019
Preceded by	Connie Mack III
Succeeded by	Rick Scott
Committee chairmanships Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2019 Preceded by John Thune Succeeded by Maria Cantwell Chair of the Senate Aging Committee In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015 Preceded by Herb Kohl Succeeded by Susan Collins
22nd Treasurer of Florida
In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2001
Governor	Lawton Chiles Buddy MacKay Jeb Bush
Preceded by	Tom Gallagher
Succeeded by	Tom Gallagher
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida
In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1991
Preceded by	Louis Frey Jr.
Succeeded by	Jim Bacchus
Constituency	9th district (1979–1983) 11th district (1983–1991)
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 47th district
In office November 7, 1972 – November 7, 1978
Preceded by	Redistricted
Succeeded by	Tim Deratany
Personal details
Born	Clarence William Nelson II (1942-09-29) September 29, 1942 (age 82) Miami, Florida, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Grace Cavert ​ (m. 1972)​
Children	2
Education	University of Florida Yale University (BA) University of Virginia (JD)
Military service
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1965–1968, 1970–1971 (reserve) 1968–1970 (active)
Rank	Captain
Space career
NASA payload specialist (congressional observer)
Time in space	6 days, 2 hours, 3 minutes
Missions	STS-61-C
Mission insignia

Bill Nelson (born September 29, 1942) is an American politician and former astronaut. He served as a U.S. Senator for Florida from 2001 to 2019. From 2021 to 2025, he was the head of NASA.

Nelson is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming a senator, he was a U.S. Representative from Florida's Space Coast (1979–1991). He also served in the Florida House of Representatives (1972–1978). In January 1986, he became the second person from Congress to fly in space. He was a payload specialist on mission STS-61-C aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. Before politics, he was in the United States Army Reserve.

After leaving Congress in 1990, Nelson ran for governor of Florida but did not win. He was later elected Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, and Fire Marshal of Florida, serving from 1995 to 2001. In 2000, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. He was reelected in 2006 and 2012. In 2018, he ran for a fourth term but lost to Rick Scott. In May 2019, Nelson joined NASA's advisory council.

In the U.S. Senate, Nelson was known as a moderate Democrat. He supported same-sex marriage and protecting the Affordable Care Act. He also worked to expand environmental programs.

On March 19, 2021, President Joe Biden chose Nelson to lead NASA. The Senate approved his nomination on April 29. He was sworn in on May 3 by Vice President Kamala Harris. Nelson left NASA on January 20, 2025, when President Biden's first term ended.

Early Life and Education

Nelson was born in Miami, Florida, on September 29, 1942. He grew up in Melbourne, Florida, and went to Melbourne High School.

He attended the University of Florida for two years. Then he transferred to Yale University, where he earned a degree in political science in 1965. He later received a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1968.

In 1965, during the Vietnam War, Nelson joined the United States Army Reserve. He served on active duty from 1968 to 1970. He reached the rank of Captain. He left the Army in 1971.

Space Shuttle Columbia Mission

In 1986, Bill Nelson became the second person from Congress to fly into space. He trained with Senator Jake Garn, who flew in 1985. Nelson was a payload specialist on the STS-61-C mission. This mission took place from January 12 to 18, 1986.

The pilot for STS-61-C was Charles Bolden, who later also became a NASA administrator. Another astronaut, Gregory Jarvis, was supposed to be on this flight. But he was moved to STS-51-L. Sadly, Jarvis and six others died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster ten days after Nelson's mission ended.

In 1988, Nelson wrote a book about his space journey. It was called Mission: An American Congressman's Voyage to Space.

Early Political Career

Florida Legislature

Nelson in 1972 as a Florida State Representative

In 1972, Nelson was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. He represented parts of Brevard, Orange, and Seminole counties. He was reelected in 1974 and 1976.

U.S. House of Representatives

Nelson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1978. He represented Florida's 9th congressional district. He was reelected several times. His district included Cape Canaveral and its space facility.

He led the House Space Subcommittee for six years. This made him a key member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

Treasurer of Florida

Governor Jeb Bush and Nelson in 1999

In 1994, Nelson ran for Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, and Fire Marshal of Florida. He won the election. He was reelected in 1998.

In 2000, Nelson decided to run for the United States Senate. He resigned from his Treasurer role in early 2000 to campaign. His resignation became official on January 3, 2001.

United States Senate

Senate Elections

Nelson's official Senate portrait, around 2001

NASA photo (around 1986)

In 2000, Nelson ran for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat. He won the election, defeating Bill McCollum.

In 2006, Nelson was reelected. He won with a large number of votes. He was seen as a moderate who could work with both parties.

Nelson with Vice President Joe Biden and Rep. Alcee Hastings in Miami-Dade County, Florida (2012)

In 2012, Nelson won reelection again. He defeated Connie Mack IV.

In 2018, Nelson ran for a fourth term. He faced Florida Governor Rick Scott. The election was very close. After a recount, Scott won by a small number of votes.

Committee Work

Nelson served on several important committees in the Senate. These included:

• The Committee on Armed Services
• The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
• The Committee on Finance
• The Special Committee on Aging

He led the Subcommittee on Science and Space. He also served as the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee.

Post-Senate Activities

On May 28, 2019, Nelson was asked to join NASA's advisory council. This council gives advice on major programs and policies at NASA. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine praised Nelson's appointment. He said Nelson was a "true champion for human spaceflight."

Nelson supported Joe Biden for President in the 2020 election.

NASA Administrator

Nelson is sworn in as the 14th NASA administrator by Vice President Kamala Harris

Nomination and Role

On February 22, 2021, news came out that President Biden was thinking of nominating Nelson to lead NASA. On March 18, it was confirmed that Biden had chosen him. The Senate approved Nelson's nomination on April 29. He was sworn in on May 3 by Vice President Kamala Harris.

Biden chose former Space Shuttle commanders Pamela Melroy and Robert D. Cabana to help Nelson. Melroy became Deputy Administrator.

Nelson became a strong supporter of using private companies for space contracts. He believed that competition would make things cheaper. He also supported the Artemis program. This program aims to send humans back to the Moon.

As NASA administrator, Nelson oversaw several big projects. These included the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. He also oversaw the Artemis 1 mission, which sent an uncrewed spacecraft around the Moon. Another project was the DART mission, which crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid.

Political Views

Nelson was often seen as a moderate Democrat. He described himself as a centrist during his campaigns.

Economic Issues

Nelson works with government storm trackers during a hurricane-hunter flight into the center of Hurricane Charley in August 2004

Nelson supported extending tax cuts for middle and lower-income families. He voted for the Buffett Rule in 2012. This rule would have raised the minimum tax rate for people earning over $1 million per year. He believed it would help reduce the budget deficit and make taxes fairer.

He voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This was a plan to boost the economy.

Nelson was interested in product safety. He often checked on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

He voted for a law in 2012 that required the National Flood Insurance Program to raise rates for some high-risk properties. This was to help the program stay financially stable.

Space Exploration and NASA

President Barack Obama and Nelson visit Kennedy Space Center in April 2010

Nelson looks on as President Donald Trump signs the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017

In 2010, Nelson was concerned when President Obama canceled NASA's Constellation program. He wanted NASA to develop a powerful rocket. This led to the creation of the Space Launch System (SLS).

In 2016, Nelson helped create a deal to stop importing Russian RD-180 rocket engines.

During his own confirmation hearing in 2021, Nelson changed his earlier views. He praised the use of private companies in space. He also said that a NASA administrator did not need a science or engineering degree.

In June 2021, Nelson spoke about cooperation between the U.S. and Russia in space. He said, "Your politics can be hitting heads on Earth, while you are cooperating" in space.

LGBT Rights

In 2010, Nelson voted to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. This policy prevented gay and lesbian people from serving openly in the military.

In 2013, Nelson announced his support for same-sex marriage. He said, "The civil rights and responsibilities for one must pertain to all."

Gun Control

Nelson supported new gun control laws. These included a ban on assault weapons. He also wanted a ban on magazines that hold more than ten rounds. He supported requiring universal background checks for gun sales at gun shows.

After the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Nelson expressed sadness that certain gun control bills did not pass. He said, "Sadly, what I am going to have to tell them is that the NRA won again."

In 2017, after the Las Vegas shooting, Nelson supported a bill to ban bump stocks for assault weapons. He said, "These automatic weapons are not for hunting, they are for killing."

Environment

Nelson supported banning oil drilling off Florida's Gulf Coast. He wanted this ban to continue until 2027. He argued that drilling would harm Florida's tourism economy. It would also interfere with military training in the area.

In 2011, Nelson helped create the RESTORE Act. This law directed money from BP fines to states affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

In 2015, Nelson introduced an amendment to stop federal agencies from censoring information about climate change.

Hurricanes

After Hurricane Maria in 2017, Nelson and Marco Rubio agreed that President Trump was too slow to send military help to Puerto Rico. Nelson said the U.S. military is the best organization for disaster relief.

Personal Life

In 1972, Bill Nelson married Grace Cavert. They have two adult children, Charles William "Bill Jr." Nelson and Nan Ellen Nelson.

Images for kids

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  Nelson in 1972 as a Florida State Representative

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  Governor Jeb Bush and Nelson in 1999

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  Nelson's official Senate portrait, around 2001

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  NASA photo (around 1986)

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  Nelson with Vice President Joe Biden and Rep. Alcee Hastings in Miami-Dade County, Florida (2012)

• 

  Nelson works with government storm trackers during a hurricane-hunter flight into the center of Hurricane Charley in August 2004

• 

  President Barack Obama and Nelson visit Kennedy Space Center in April 2010

• 

  Nelson looks on as President Donald Trump signs the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017

• 

  Nelson is sworn in as the 14th NASA administrator by Vice President Kamala Harris