He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection. While in the Senate, Nye was chairman of the Committee on Enrolled Bills (Thirty-ninth Congress), a member of the Committees on Revolutionary Claims (Fortieth Congress), and a member of the Committee on Territories (Forty-first Congress).
He was a non-victorious candidate for re-election. While in the Senate, Nye served as chairman of the Enrolled Bills Committee (Thirty-ninth Congress), member of the Revolutionary Claims Committee (Fortieth Congress), and member of the Territories Committee (Forty-first Congress).