Sep 16, 2013
The President, in my view, could not have chosen a better nominee for the position than Mike.
Jeff Bingaman
The Public Record
Jeff Bingaman is a former U.S. Senator from New Mexico, serving from 1983 to 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, he was known for his work on energy policy, education, and healthcare. During his tenure, Bingaman played a significant role in shaping legislation related to renewable energy and was a strong advocate for the development of clean energy technologies. He served as the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, where he focused on issues such as energy efficiency and the promotion of alternative energy sources.
Most widely reported
by number of sources- I rise to introduce a bill important to public health and safety and the environment. This legislation addresses an interpretation by the Department of the Interior, DOI, which restricts the ability of states to use certain funds under the Abandoned Mine Land, AML, Program authorized by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, SMCRA, for non-coal abandoned mine reclamation and for the remediation of acid mine drainage. This bill is identical to legislation that was reported by voice vote by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources last Congress. Amendments to SMCRA, passed as part of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, Pub. L. No. 109-432, reauthorized collection of an AML fee on coal produced in the United States and made certain modifications to the AML program. The amendments also provided that so-called ``make- up'' funds, amounts that had accrued to the states and tribes for several years under the formula in SMCRA but had not been previously appropriated, be paid out to the states and tribes over a period of years as mandatory payments. Under the AML program, which is administered by DOI, funds are expended to reclaim abandoned mine lands, with top priority for protecting public health, safety, general welfare, and property, and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by past mining practices.…3 sources2011govinfo.gov
- let me speak for a few minutes about the disappointment I have and I am sure many other colleagues have with the situation we find ourselves in with respect to the partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration. My colleague from Colorado, Senator Bennet, was on the Senate floor this afternoon and spoke eloquently about how this partial shutdown is affecting his State of Colorado. I wanted to talk briefly about the similar concerns I have for my State of New Mexico. Frankly, some in this Congress, in my view, have lost sight of what they were elected to do in Washington. Aviation is a critical piece of our transportation infrastructure, a critical piece of our economy. Yet, for nearly a week now, the Congress has failed to extend the necessary authorizations to keep the Federal Aviation Administration doing the work that needs to be done. It has been over 5 months since the Senate passed its reauthorization bill for aviation programs. That vote was overwhelming; it was 87 to 8. So this was not a partisan bill; this was a bill supported strongly by both Democrats and Republicans. The bill included a number of programs important to my State of New Mexico and to the entire Nation, including the Airport Improvement Program that provides grants for the construction of runways, taxiways, which help to make airports safer.…3 sources2011govinfo.gov
- this is an amendment I am offering on behalf of myself, Senator Alexander, Senator Kennedy, Senator Domenici, Senator Mikulski, Senator Ensign, and others to offer an amendment to the budget resolution to do two things: to fund the Office of Science within the Department of Energy and also to fund the National Science Foundation at the fiscal year 2009 funding levels that have been proposed in the President's budget. Last year, on a bipartisan basis, Congress passed the COMPETES Act. I compliment my colleague, who is here on the floor with me today, Senator Alexander, for his leadership in that legislation. This was bipartisan legislation. It was strongly endorsed by Members of the Senate. It authorized a number of programs based upon the recommendations that came from the National Academies report entitled 'Rising Above the Gathering Storm.' Specifically, the COMPETES Act authorized a doubling of the budgets for the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy's Office of Science over a period of 7 years. The Office of Science and the National Science Foundation are the two principal agencies charged with maintaining the nondefense basic science enterprise of our Nation, which serves as the wellspring for future innovation and for our global competitiveness.3 sources2008govinfo.gov
- this afternoon the Senate will vote on a motion to proceed to consideration of S. 940, the Close Big Oil Tax Loophole Act. I have not decided how I would vote on final passage of the act in its current form. In fact, earlier this year, I voted against an amendment offered by Senator Levin that contained many similar proposals, primarily because there were provisions in that amendment that I felt did not receive the full attention they deserved. Yet because I believe that the full Senate ought to debate the merits of existing tax preferences for our Nation's oil and gas industry, I will vote in favor of this motion to proceed. Additionally, beyond the Tax Code changes, I strongly support the act's provision repealing the Outer Continental Shelf deep water and deep gas royalty relief, and this repeal should also be debated by the full Senate. The act's underlying provisions closely follow provisions that the President has proposed in the three budget recommendations he has so far presented to the Congress--except that this bill would apply only to the so-called Big Five producers. As chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and as chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure, I have had the opportunity to study and receive testimony on the act's underlying provisions, and I believe there is merit in at least some of these provisions.…2 sources2011govinfo.gov
- The issue of disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste has been debated in the Senate, in one form or another, as long as I have been a Member. Nuclear waste is a serious issue that demands serious attention by all Senators. It is a problem that is national in scope. It is also a particular responsibility of the Federal Government. After all, it was the Federal Government that proposed, beginning with the Atoms for Peace Program in the Eisenhower administration, to develop the peaceful uses of nuclear power.2 sources2000govinfo.gov
- I join my colleague, Senator Domenici, in expressing condolences to the family of Jason Cunningham. I also read with great sadness the report of his death in Afghanistan. It was emphasized in the report which I read that he was part of this para-rescue team and that he had made a very conscious decision in choosing his career path in the military to be on a para-rescue team rather than on a different type of military team because he did want to commit his life to saving other people's lives. That is the exact activity he was engaged in in Afghanistan when he came under enemy fire and was killed in that combat. This is a reminder to all who serve in the Senate, as well as, of course, to his family. It is an enormous responsibility we take on as a nation when we send our best young people into battle to do the work of this country, to put these men and women at risk, as has been the case in Afghanistan. It is an enormous undertaking. His sacrifice is the ultimate sacrifice and his family's sacrifice, as well. We join with them in mourning his death.2 sources2002govinfo.gov
congress.gov
Sep 16, 2013
I'm honored to be here with Senator Udall to strongly support the nomination of Mike Connor for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior.
Sep 16, 2013
He has demonstrated, on numerous occasions, his ability to find solutions to very difficult problems and to find solutions that could gain the support of Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike.
Sep 16, 2013
He knows the crucial role that Congress plays in setting policy and in overseeing how that policy is carried out.
Apr 8, 2013
I think all of us, if we were choosing a Secretary of Energy, would want to choose somebody with those attributes.
Apr 8, 2013
It's important that we have a person with substantial knowledge and many varied skills in order to succeed.
Apr 8, 2013
First we would want a person as Secretary of Energy who had a knowledge of science and engineering.
Jan 22, 2013
I would certainly like to thank Senator Bingaman, who just retired just very recently, for the strong support that he has shown me over the years, and including support for this nomination.
Dec 28, 2012
I ask unanimous consent that further reading be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To provide for the approval of an agreement between the United States and…
Dec 28, 2012
as Hurricane Sandy was bearing down on our own east coast, causing tremendous damage, a supertyphoon named Bopha was also striking the small Asian Pacific nation of Palau. The U.S. Embassy in Palau issued a declaration on December 5. In…
Dec 28, 2012
I thank the managers of the bill, the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, and I call up amendment No. 3344. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the clerk will report. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator…
Dec 19, 2012
I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 19, 2012, at 8:30 a.m., to hold a briefing entitled, ``Accountability Review Board''. The PRESIDING OFFICER…
Dec 19, 2012
I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 19, 2012. The PRESIDING OFFICER. With objection, it is so ordered. Committee on Foreign Relations
Dec 19, 2012
I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 19, 2012, at 10 a.m., in room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``The…
Dec 19, 2012
I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 19, 2012. The PRESIDING OFFICER. With objection, it is so ordered. Subcommittee on Financial Institutions on…
Dec 19, 2012
I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To provide for the approval of an agreement…
Dec 19, 2012
I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs' Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 19, 2012, at 10 a.m., to…
Dec 19, 2012
this is an amendment offered by myself and cosponsored by Senators Webb and Wyden. It would provide for the approval of an agreement between the United States and the Republic of Palau in response to Supertyphoon Bopha. Few people are…
Dec 19, 2012
I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendment be set aside and that I be permitted to call up amendment No. 3344 and ask for its immediate consideration. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk…
Dec 19, 2012
I thank my colleague Senator Leahy. Madam President, what is the pending business before the Senate now? Is it an amendment to this legislation? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Amendment No. 3371 is the pending business. Amendment No…
Dec 19, 2012
I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 19, 2012. The PRESIDING OFFICER. With objection, it is so ordered. Committee on Finance
Dec 13, 2012
let me thank my colleague, Senator Udall, for his overly generous comments and indicate that 30 or 40 years from now when he retires from the Senate, I will be glad to make similar comments about his service. I could make similar comments…
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