Bingaman Chairs His Final Hearing

WASHINGTON — Sen. Jeff Bingaman presided over a Senate committee hearing for the final time Wednesday morning, prompting another senator to lament that the upper chamber of Congress will be “less thoughtful and less informed” in the New Mexico Democrat’s absence.

Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is retiring next month after a 30-year Senate career. The senator is also a Finance Committee member, and with the energy committee’s work done for the year, he was asked to chair a finance hearing Wednesday on taxes and energy policy.

Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat who also serves on the Finance Committee and is expected to take over from Bingaman as the energy chairman, said the Senate will miss Bingaman’s steady, low-key legislative style.

“There is not a whole lot certain about what goes on here in the United States Senate, including when, in fact, the Senate session may wrap up for this year,” Wyden told Bingaman. “But I just want to note there is one certainty for everybody who works in the energy field, and that is these debates are going to be less thoughtful and less informed because you won’t be a part of those debates.

“I think people will understand that when voices get raised and voices get shrill, just how valuable those particular attributes are and the fact that you always brought us back to policy and certain realities,” Wyden continued.

“I just want to note that while this may be the last energy hearing for the year … there are a lot of us who will make sure the cellphone connections from Washington, D.C. to New Mexico are operating so we can continue to have your wise counsel and your thoughtful approach on the issues.”

Bingaman isn’t typically thought of as funny, but his response was classic Bingaman — dry and self-deprecating.

“Thanks for your very kind words and I’m sure as soon as I get out of town, you can solve all these problems,” Bingaman said with a smile. “I’m trying to hasten that day, but thank you very much for your kind comments.”

The remarks drew chuckles from the audience full of policy wonks and Senate staffers, who also gave Bingaman a hearty round of applause at Wyden’s urging.

Sen. John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said he was proud to participate in Bingaman’s final hearing.

“Your leadership is going to be missed around here,” Thune told Bingaman.
— This article appeared on page C1 of the Albuquerque Journal