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 on March 15, 1939, is a retired American politician and businessman. He was a United States senator for Delaware from 2009 to 2010. He also led the Congressional Oversight Panel, which watched over a program called the Troubled Asset Relief Program. He was the second and last person to hold this important role, taking over from Elizabeth Warren. Kaufman belongs to the Democratic Party. He is a close friend and supporter of former President Joe Biden.
He became a Senator when Joe Biden was elected Vice President in 2008. Before becoming a U.S. Senator, Kaufman worked as an advisor to Biden for many years. He later led Biden's team during his presidential transition. Many people describe Kaufman as Biden's "best friend."
Contents
Early Life and Education
Edward Emmett Kaufman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 15, 1939. His mother, Helen, was a teacher, and his father, Manuel, was a social worker. His father had Russian Jewish roots, and his mother was Catholic with Irish heritage. Kaufman was raised Catholic, following his mother's faith.
He graduated from Central High School in Philadelphia. He then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Duke University. Later, he received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1966, Kaufman moved to Delaware to work as an engineer for DuPont.
Working with Joe Biden
In 1972, Edward Kaufman volunteered for Joe Biden's U.S. Senate campaign. Many thought Biden had little chance of winning. After Biden's unexpected victory, Kaufman took a year off from DuPont. He organized and led Senator Biden's office in Delaware.
In 1976, he became Biden's Chief of Staff and administrative assistant. He held this role until 1995, also helping with Biden's later Senate campaigns. After Biden won the 2020 presidential election, Kaufman was chosen to lead Biden's team for the presidential transition.
Before serving as a U.S. Senator, Kaufman was a member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). This group oversees all U.S. government international broadcasting. Presidents Clinton and Bush appointed him to the BBG. The U.S. Senate confirmed him for four terms.
Time as a U.S. Senator (2009–2010)
Becoming a Senator
On November 24, 2008, Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner announced her plan to appoint Kaufman. He would take Joe Biden's place in the Senate. Kaufman was appointed on January 15, 2009, the same day Biden resigned. He was sworn in the very next day.
Kaufman served in the Senate until November 15, 2010. His successor, Chris Coons, was elected in a special election in 2010. Coons finished the rest of Biden's term. Kaufman chose not to run for a full term himself.
Kaufman joined the same two committees that Biden had served on. These were the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on the Judiciary.
Key Actions as Senator
Early in his term, Kaufman supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). This was a plan to boost 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 about how the Court handled business cases. He also asked about Judge Sotomayor's approach to law. 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. He voted to send her nomination to the full Senate as well.
Kaufman felt that people were unfairly criticizing federal employees. So, starting in May 2009, he gave weekly speeches. In each speech, he praised a different federal employee. He continued this until his term ended. Chris Coons, a Democrat, replaced Kaufman. Coons won against Christine O'Donnell in November 2010. Kaufman resigned, and Coons took office on November 15, 2010.
Focus on Finance
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 on May 20, 2009.
Kaufman also wanted to make people trust the U.S. financial markets again. 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 keep the market stable. He spoke about this often and wrote letters with other Senators.
In 2010, Kaufman and Senator Sherrod Brown introduced an amendment. It was for the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This amendment, called the Brown–Kaufman amendment, would have limited how large banks could become. Kaufman said he wanted to bring back the spirit of the Glass–Steagall Act from 1933. However, the amendment failed in a Senate vote on May 6, 2010.
Foreign Relations Work
In April 2009, Kaufman traveled to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. He met with U.S. troops and foreign leaders. He wanted to understand the U.S. strategy in these areas. He supported the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009. This act would triple non-military aid to Pakistan. It would provide $1.5 billion per year for development over five years.
Kaufman also stressed the need for more training for civilians and military. This training would focus on fighting rebellions and keeping peace in Afghanistan. He introduced an amendment to a defense spending bill with Senators Richard Lugar and Jack Reed. Kaufman visited Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan two more times after this.
In May 2009, Kaufman visited Israel, Syria, and Turkey. He discussed security issues and ways to cooperate. He met with government officials and leaders. During the 2009–2010 Iranian election protests, Kaufman introduced a resolution supporting the protesters. The Senate passed it unanimously. Kaufman also introduced the Victim of Iranian Censorship Act (VOICE). This act supported similar goals. It allowed funding for the Broadcasting Board of Governors to expand programs like Radio Farda. Kaufman also spoke up for freedom of the press in China.
Supporting Education
Kaufman sponsored 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 offered more chances for engineers and scientists to inspire new students in science and technology. In 2010, Kaufman received the American Society of Mechanical Engineers President's Award. This was for his work promoting STEM education.
Committee Roles
During his time as a Senator, Ted Kaufman served on several important committees:
- 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.
Leading the Congressional Oversight Panel (2010–2011)
Senator Harry Reid, who was the Senate Majority Leader, chose Kaufman to replace Elizabeth Warren. This happened on October 1, 2010, on the Congressional Oversight Panel. Just three days later, Kaufman was unanimously elected as the panel's second chairman. He took over from Warren in this role. He continued to lead the panel even after his Senate term ended.
After the Senate
Since 1991, Kaufman has taught a course about the United States Congress at Duke University's law school. He also teaches "Government, Business, and Public Policy in the Global Economy" to law and business students at Duke. From 1995 to 1999, he was a co-chair of 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 of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.
Before the 2020 United States presidential election, Kaufman was a co-chair of the Biden-Harris Transition Team. This team planned the presidential transition of Joe Biden.
Personal Life
Ted 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 directors for Children and Families First, WHYY, and the Board of Trustees of Christiana Care. Kaufman has been close to Joe Biden for many years. He is often described as Biden's "best friend."
Awards and Recognition
In January 2025, President Joe Biden named Kaufman as a recipient of the Presidential Citizens Medal. This honor was given to Kaufman and nineteen other people.
