Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he believes the Obama administration will waste no time in tackling the issues important to New Mexicans: the economy, education, energy and the environment, and health care.

"Under President Obama's leadership, I am confident that we will rise to our nation's many challenges.  I believe that we will take the necessary steps to turn the economy around, and that we will put in place the type of educational system we will need to prepare Americans for the jobs of tomorrow," Bingaman said. 

"I also believe we will take on health care reform, finding ways to cover those who lack insurance and providing quality health care who those who may already have coverage.  And I especially look forward to working with our new president to craft an energy policy that moves us away from our dependence on imported oil and focuses instead on homegrown, low-carbon energy supplies and energy efficiency," he added.   "We have a lot to do, but I believe we are ready to make significant progress." 

Bingaman also said he is pleased the Senate approved six cabinet secretaries today: Steven Chu, Department of Energy; Arne Duncan, Department of Education, Janet Napolitano, Department of Homeland Security; Ken Salazar, Department of Interior; Eric Shinseki, Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Thomas Vilsack, Department of Agriculture.

"President Obama is assembling a very capable team and I look forward to working with them," Bingaman said. 

As chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Bingaman held hearings last week on two of the nominees: Chu and Salazar.