Max Baucus was sworn in by President Barack Obama as the 11th U.S. Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. His tenure was marked by a substantial increase in trade between the two countries and he is widely regarded as a leading expert in the bilateral relationship. In politics, he was a Senator for over 35 years, making him the longest-serving representative in Montana history. He presided as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and Joint Committee on Taxation. During his Chairmanship of the Finance Committee, he was highly influential in reforming national healthcare policy.