Ted Kaufman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ted Kaufman
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Official portrait, 2009
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| United States Senator from Delaware |
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| In office January 15, 2009 – November 15, 2010 |
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| Appointed by | Ruth Ann Minner |
| Preceded by | Joe Biden |
| Succeeded by | Chris Coons |
| Chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel | |
| In office October 6, 2010 – April 3, 2011 |
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| Deputy | Damon Silvers |
| Preceded by | Elizabeth Warren |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors | |
| In office August 11, 1995 – December 1, 2008 |
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| President | Bill Clinton George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Dana Perino |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Edward Emmett Kaufman
March 15, 1939 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Lynne Kaufman
(m. 1960) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Duke University (BS) University of Pennsylvania (MBA) |
Edward Emmett Kaufman (born March 15, 1939), known as Ted Kaufman, is a retired American politician and businessman. He served as a United States senator for Delaware from 2009 to 2010. He also led the Congressional Oversight Panel, which watched over a special government program. Kaufman is a member of the Democratic Party and a close friend and helper of former President Joe Biden.
Kaufman became a senator to finish the term of Joe Biden. Biden had been elected Vice President in 2008. Before becoming a senator, Kaufman worked as an advisor for Biden for many years. He even led Biden's team when Biden was getting ready to become president.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Edward Emmett Kaufman was born on March 15, 1939, in Philadelphia. His mother, Helen, was a teacher, and his father, Manuel, was a social worker. He grew up in the Catholic faith. Kaufman went to Central High School in Philadelphia. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Duke University. Later, he received a business degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
In 1966, Kaufman moved to Delaware. He worked there as an engineer for a company called DuPont.
Working with Joe Biden
In 1972, Ted Kaufman volunteered for Joe Biden's campaign for the U.S. Senate. Many people thought Biden had little chance to win. After Biden's unexpected victory, Kaufman took a year off from DuPont. He helped set up and lead Senator Biden's office in Delaware. In 1976, he became Biden's Chief of Staff, a top assistant, and worked with him until 1995. He also helped with Biden's later Senate campaigns. When Biden won the presidential election in 2020, Kaufman was chosen to lead Biden's team for the transition to the presidency.
Before being a U.S. senator, Kaufman was part of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). This group oversees U.S. government international broadcasting. Presidents Clinton and Bush appointed him to this board. The U.S. Senate approved him for four terms.
U.S. Senate (2009–2010)
Becoming a Senator
On November 24, 2008, Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner announced that she would choose Kaufman to take Biden's place in the Senate. He was officially appointed on January 15, 2009, the same day Biden left his Senate seat. Kaufman was sworn in the next day. He served in the Senate until Chris Coons was elected in a special election in 2010. Coons finished the rest of Biden's term. Kaufman decided not to run for a full term himself.
Kaufman joined the same two committees that Joe Biden had been on. These were the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on the Judiciary.
Time in Office
Early in his term, Kaufman supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). This was a plan to help the economy. It brought over $800 million in federal money to help Delaware's economy recover.
In July 2009, Kaufman took part in the Senate Judiciary Committee's hearing for Judge Sonia Sotomayor. She was nominated to the Supreme Court. Kaufman asked questions about how the Court handled business cases. He also asked about Judge Sotomayor's way of making decisions. Kaufman voted to send her nomination to the full Senate for a vote. In June 2010, he also participated in the hearing for Judge Elena Kagan, another Supreme Court nominee. Kaufman voted to send her nomination to the full Senate as well.
Kaufman felt that people were often unfair to federal employees. So, starting in May 2009, he gave a speech once a week. In each speech, he praised a different federal employee. He continued this until his term ended. Chris Coons, a Democrat, took over from Kaufman. Coons won against Republican Christine O'Donnell in November 2010. Kaufman left office, and Coons started on November 15, 2010.
Working on Financial Issues
As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Kaufman worked on a bill with Senators Patrick Leahy and Chuck Grassley. This bill aimed to give federal prosecutors more tools to fight financial fraud. The Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009 (FERA) became law in May 2009.
Kaufman also wanted to make U.S. financial markets safer. He introduced a bill to stop unfair short selling and other ways of manipulating the market. He asked the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) to bring back the "uptick rule." This rule helps make the market stable. He spoke and wrote letters to the agency about this. He also pushed for rules to make short sales safer.
In 2010, Kaufman and Senator Sherrod Brown introduced an amendment to a bill called the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This amendment, known as the Brown–Kaufman amendment, would have limited how big banks could become. Kaufman said he wanted to bring back the idea of the Glass–Steagall Act from 1933. This older law had been removed in 1999. The amendment did not pass in the Senate.
Focus on Foreign Affairs
In April 2009, Kaufman traveled to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. He met with U.S. troops and leaders there. He wanted to understand the U.S. strategy in these areas. He supported a plan to triple non-military aid to Pakistan. This would provide $1.5 billion each year for development over five years. Kaufman also stressed the need for better training for civilians and military. This training would help with stability operations in Afghanistan. He introduced an amendment for this with Senators Richard Lugar and Jack Reed. Kaufman later visited Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan two more times.
In May 2009, Kaufman visited Israel, Syria, and Turkey. He discussed security issues and ways to work together. He met with government officials and leaders. During the Iranian election protests in 2009–2010, Kaufman introduced a resolution to support the protesters. The Senate passed it without anyone voting against it. Kaufman also introduced the Victim of Iranian Censorship Act (VOICE). This act supported similar goals. It allowed money for the Broadcasting Board of Governors to expand programs like Radio Farda. Kaufman also spoke up for freedom of the press in China.
Education Reform Efforts
Kaufman supported the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics ("STEM") Education Coordination Act. This act aimed to create a committee to organize federal STEM education programs. He also supported the Edward M. Kennedy National Service Act. This act created more chances for engineers and scientists to inspire new students in science and technology. In 2010, Kaufman received an award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. This was for his work in promoting STEM education.
Committee Assignments
- Committee on Armed Services
- Committee on Foreign Relations
- Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs
- Subcommittee on African Affairs
- Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Human Rights, Democracy and Global Women's Issues
- Subcommittee on European Affairs
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
- Committee on the Judiciary
- Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts
- Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights
- Subcommittee on the Constitution
- Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs
- Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security
- Impeachment Trial Committee on the Articles against Judge G. Thomas Porteous, Jr.
Congressional Oversight Panel (2010–2011)
Senator Harry Reid, who was the Senate Majority Leader, chose Kaufman to join the Congressional Oversight Panel. This happened on October 1, 2010. Three days later, Kaufman was chosen by everyone to be the panel's second chairman. He took over from Elizabeth Warren. He stayed as chairman of the panel even after his Senate term ended.
After the Senate
Since 1991, Kaufman has taught a class about the United States Congress at Duke University's law school. He also taught a course on government, business, and public policy. From 1995 to 1999, he helped lead the Duke Law School Center for the Study of the Congress.
Kaufman is currently a member of the board of trustees for the Institute of International Education. He also co-chairs the Delaware STEM Council.
In September 2014, Kaufman joined the board of directors for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.
Before the 2020 United States presidential election, Kaufman was a co-chair for the Biden-Harris Transition Team. This team planned how Joe Biden would take over as president.
Personal Life
Kaufman and his wife, Lynne, have been married since 1960. They live in Wilmington, Delaware. They have three daughters and seven grandchildren. He was on the board of Children and Families First, WHYY, and Christiana Care. Ted Kaufman has been very close to Joe Biden for many years. He has been called Biden's "best friend."
Recognition
In January 2025, President Joe Biden announced that Kaufman would receive the Presidential Citizens Medal. This is a special award given to people who have done great things for the country.
