Skip navigation.

 

About Jeff Bingaman

I am proud to represent New Mexico in the United States Senate. Here you'll find information about my background and my record of professional and public service.

 Senator Jeff Bingaman

 

BIOGRAPHY

Jeff Bingaman grew up in Silver City in a family with deep New Mexico small town roots. His father was a science professor at Western New Mexico University, and his mother taught in the public schools. As a young boy, Jeff was raised to appreciate the values New Mexicans hold dear: personal responsibility, respect, and hard work. He had a paper route and was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from high school in Silver City, then attended Harvard University and later Stanford Law School. There he met fellow law student Anne Kovacovich. After graduation, they married and returned to New Mexico, where they both practiced law. Later, their son John was born.

Jeff was elected New Mexico Attorney General in 1978. In that role, he earned a reputation as a thoughtful and dedicated public official. In 1982, he won election to the United States Senate.

Since then, Jeff’s seniority in the Senate and his leadership positions on key committees have allowed him to champion issues important to New Mexico. His determination to solve real problems facing New Mexico’s families and communities has put him in the forefront on a range of issues, including fighting crime, providing affordable healthcare, improving our schools, developing renewable energy, protecting our natural resources, and creating and retaining good jobs across the state and nation.


COMMITTEES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A committee is an organization of the Senate that considers legislation, conducts hearings and investigations, and carries out other assignments.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Ranking Member
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has jurisdiction over national energy policy and the nation’s public lands.

Finance Committee
Ranking Member on Subcommittee on International Trade
Member, Subcommittee on Health Care and the Subcommittee on Social Security and Family Policy
The Finance Committee has jurisdiction over Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, tax policy, trade policy, and other key domestic issues. 

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Lead Democratic Senator on Education Standards, Education Technology, At-Risk Students, and Pension Reform
The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is responsible for the oversight of federal education programs, pension reform, and health care policy.

Joint Economic Committee
Senior Member
The Joint Economic Committee studies issues that affect the U.S. economy. This is a bicameral congressional committee.

BINGAMAN AT A GLANCE

A photo of the dome of the U.S. Capitol. This photo is also a link to the Introduction to the Senate page.INTRO TO THE SENATE

The Senate is an institution of deliberation and compromise. [MORE]

MY ROLE AS A SENATOR

Among their other duties, senators debate and introduce legislation on many different topics. [MORE]

HOW LAWS ARE MADE

After a senator introduces legislation, it is assigned to the appropriate committee and subcommittee. [MORE]

A photo of the front entrance to my office in Albuquerque, showing an awning over a wide set of glass doors. This photo is also a link to the OFFICE ADDRESSES

I maintain five offices in New Mexico and one in Washington, DC. [MORE]

NM DELEGATION

New Mexico has a five-member delegation in the United States Congress. Every state has two Senators, while the number of House Members is based on the population of the state.