29 Facts About Jeff Bingaman

Jeff Bingaman was born in El Paso, Texas, the son of Frances Bethia and Jesse Francis Jeff Bingaman.

Jeff Bingaman's father taught at Western New Mexico University and his mother taught in the public schools system.

Jeff Bingaman then entered Stanford Law School, graduating in 1968.

Jeff Bingaman served as counsel to the New Mexico Constitutional Convention of 1969.

From 1968 to 1974, Jeff Bingaman was a member of the US Army Reserve.

Jeff Bingaman attended basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, as a private and graduated from the chaplain enlisted assistant technician course at the Army Chaplain School, Fort Hamilton, New Jersey in April 1969.

Jeff Bingaman then ran for the leadership position of this office in 1978 and was elected.

In 1982, Jeff Bingaman was elected to the Senate, defeating one-term Republican incumbent Harrison Schmitt.

Jeff Bingaman was Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a member of the Finance Committee; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; and Joint Committee on the Economy.

Generally, Jeff Bingaman kept a fairly low national profile, even though he was the ninth most senior member of the Senate at the time of his retirement.

Jeff Bingaman was very popular in New Mexico, facing substantive opposition only once, in 1994.

Jeff Bingaman was the most-senior junior senator in the 110th United States Congress.

On February 18,2011, Jeff Bingaman announced that he would not seek reelection in 2012.

Jeff Bingaman formally retired on January 3,2013, ending the second-longest Senate tenure in the state's history, behind only Domenici.

Jeff Bingaman believed in increased enforcement of borders to stem the flow of illegal immigrants, including more patrol agents and the use of surveillance cameras.

Jeff Bingaman voted against declaring English to be the official language of the US government and voted in favor of continuing federal funds to self-declared "sanctuary cities".

Jeff Bingaman worked consistently to protect wildlife and public lands.

Jeff Bingaman spoke publicly about the necessity of the Clean Energy Act of 2007, citing the importance of developing clean technology and green jobs.

Jeff Bingaman stated his support for the bill's principle of eliminating tax breaks on gas and oil companies.

Jeff Bingaman stated his hope of reducing emissions to 1990 levels by 2030.

Jeff Bingaman voted twice against a proposed amendment to ban flag desecration, and supported affirmative action.

On October 11,2002, Jeff Bingaman was among the 23 Senators who did not vote for authorizing the Iraq War.

Jeff Bingaman had a generally pro-rehabilitation stance on crime, supporting more programs to prevent youth crime, lower high school dropout rates, and stop drug use.

Jeff Bingaman was an outspoken critic of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

Jeff Bingaman cited the need for due process of law for detainees by saying:.

Jeff Bingaman supported President Barack Obama's health reform legislation; he voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in December 2009, and voted for the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.

Jeff Bingaman met his wife Anne Kovacovich when both were attending Stanford Law School.

On December 13,2008, Jeff Bingaman was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from New Mexico State University at the university's Fall 2008 commencement ceremony.

Jeff Bingaman received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America.