• 1. Born: October 23, 1931 in Southgate, Kentucky
  2. Party: Republican
  3. Junior Senator from Kentucky
  4. Assumed office: January 6, 1999
  5. Wife: Mary Catherine Theis
  6. Former office: House Representative from Kentucky's 4th District
  7. Former Major League Baseball player
  8. Featured in Time Magazine's "Five Worst Senators" list

• Jim Bunning is the junior Republican Senator from Kentucky. He began his Senate term in 1999 after serving for 12 years in the House of Representatives. He is also a former Major League Baseball pitcher.
  
  

  In December of 2009, Bunning delivered a statement to the Senate Banking Committee criticizing Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and opposing Bernanke's appointment for a second term. He argues that Bernanke has continued the failed policies of his predecessor, Alan Greenspan, and promised "I will do everything I can to stop your nomination and drag out the process as long as possible."http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1364480.html He also referred to Bernanke as "the definition of a moral hazard."http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1364480.html

• Political Views

  Bunning is one of the most conservative members of the U.S. Senate. He was ranked by National Journal magazine as the second most conservative Senator. He was second only to South Carolina's Jim DeMint.

• Ruth Bader Ginsburg Controversy

  While giving a speech in February of 2009 at the Hardin County Republican Party's Lincoln Day dinner, Bunning predicted that Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who recently underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer, had only nine-months to live. Bunning has no medical expertise and made the comments within the context of his supporting a conservative judge for her seat.The Assoicated Press: Bunning says Justice Ginsburg may die this year (February 23, 2009) He later apologized for any offense Ginsburg may have taken, and said that his thoughts and prayers are with Ginsburg and her family.Fox News: Bunning Apologizes for Predictions of Ginsburg's Early Demise (February 23, 2009)

• Baseball Career

  Bunning played Major League Baseball from 1955 to 1971. He played on such teams as the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in honor of his pitching record.

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