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Senator Nelson talks health care, Sotomayor confirmation

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson says a vote on health care legislation should happen after the August recess.

Senator Nelson says health care legislation is too important to push through Congress quickly. His comments come as key lawmakers working on the health care bill say a deal is close.

Nelson says he wants to hear what President Obama supports before voting on legislation. But Nelson says health care has to be addressed because costs are estimated to rise nine percent next year.

Senator Nelson's comments came Wednesday during his weekly conference call with reporters. Nelson also said Wednesday he won't decide until next week how he'll vote on Judge Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation to the Supreme Court. Nebraska's senior Senator says he wants to be sure Sotomayor won't be an activist judge.