Jeff Bingaman: “We've got to move from a 180-day school year to maybe a 200-day school year”

It's important that we have a person with substantial knowledge and many varied skills in order to succeed.

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.

Second, we would want a person with demonstrated managerial abilities.

He knows the crucial role that Congress plays in setting policy and in overseeing how that policy is carried out.