BPC President Jason Grumet on the Passing of Senator Pete V. Domenici
Washington, D.C. – Bipartisan Policy Center President Jason Grumet issued the following statement on news of the passing of former BPC senior fellow and former U.S. Senator Pete V. Domenici:
“It is with great sadness that I learned today of the passing of my friend and mentor, Senator Pete Domenici. Senator Pete was part of BPC’s family from our early days, and much of our aspiration and approach is drawn from his insights and the example he set in public service.
“Senator Domenici was a true giant of the Senate. He is best known for his leadership on budget policy and energy policy, and for serving as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee from 1981 to 1987 and again from 1995 to 2001.
“In 2005 and 2007, Senator Domenici led bipartisan efforts to adopt major energy legislation that helped usher in an era of American energy diversity and abundance, most notably the landmark 2005 Energy Policy Act.
“The mental health parity legislation that bore his name and that of his colleague Paul Wellstone was a source of tremendous personal pride, and a decade-long fight for which he will long be remembered.
“Few are aware of the role that Senator Pete played protecting our nation and the world from the threat of nuclear weapons following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
On a personal level, I am deeply grateful for the belief he placed in the Bipartisan Policy Center, back when it was little more than a small group of people with an outlandish idea about getting political opponents to talk to each other and hash out their differences. BPC is what it has become today in no small part thanks to Pete’s example and support.
“Senator Pete possessed that rare and enviable combination of intellect and wit, deploying both with equal deftness. He was a gifted legislator, never sacrificing his principles but always respecting differences and searching for creative solutions. Our Congress and our country need more Pete Domenicis.
“Our sympathies go out to Nancy Domenici, who is one of the most remarkable women I have met, and the Domenici family, at this difficult time.”