Representative Edward J. Markey, a national leader on energy and the environment, chairs the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and the Energy and Environment Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Since Speaker Pelosi appointed Rep. Markey chairman in 2007, the Select Committee has held more than 50 hearings and contributed to the advancement of smarter energy and climate policies, including the first increase in fuel economy standards in three decades, which Rep. Markey authored. The newly created Energy and Environment Subcommittee will have unprecedented jurisdiction over national energy policy and play a central role in drafting energy and climate legislation in a new era of change.

In 2008, Rep. Markey introduced the Investing in Climate Action and Protection Act (iCAP), legislation that would slash global warming emissions and make America the leader in clean technology solutions. Introducing the first "Cap and Invest" system, iCAP would cut emissions 85% by the year 2050 and invest money generated from polluters back to consumers and clean energy technology solutions.

Rep. Markey has long been active on energy and environmental issues, reflecting his commitment to maintaining the quality of life and economic opportunity in New England and across America. Gene Karpinski, the President of the League of Conservation Voters of the United States, has said "there is no greater environmental champion in Congress than Ed Markey as we fight to head off the looming catastrophe of climate change."

Rep. Markey's career of activism and effectiveness spans three decades, since he was first elected to represent Massachusetts' seventh Congressional district in 1976.  In addition to chairing key energy and environment panels, Rep. Markey is a senior member of the Natural Resources Committee. He also served for 20 years as Chair or Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet and was a senior Democratic member of the House Homeland Security Committee. In addition, he is the co chair of bipartisan Caucuses on Nonproliferation, on Privacy, on Alzheimer's disease, and on Cystic Fibrosis.  He is a fighter for the welfare of his constituents in the blue-collar and high-tech communities of his district north and west of downtown Boston and, as the dean of the Massachusetts delegation in the House, he also works to harness the energy and influence of his colleagues on behalf of the entire Commonwealth.

Competition remains Chairman Markey's economic mantra-in his words, "ruthless Darwinian competition that would bring a smile to Adam Smith."  Accordingly, he has been instrumental in breaking up anti-consumer, anti-innovative monopolies in electricity, long-distance and local telephone service, cable television, and international satellite services.  He was one of the only members of the Commerce Committee to fight AT&T's monopoly in the early 80s and is a principal author of the requirement that the Bell Operating companies accept local telephone service in the 90s.  His pro-competition policies have directly benefited job creation in Eastern Massachusetts and throughout the country.  Rep. Markey is a champion for Net Neutrality and nondiscrimination on the Internet and for new sources of effective competition to cable TV franchises, local telephone operators, and satellite and other wireless services. 

On the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Markey focused on closing gaps in our homeland defenses, particularly in the areas of nuclear, aviation, rail, liquefied natural gas and chemical security.  National Journal named Rep. Markey to its "Homeland Security 100", a list of the top leaders influencing homeland security policy, identifying him as "a tenacious watchdog, relentlessly prodding the Bush administration to crack down on what he sees as critical gaps in the nation's security." He is a key leader on providing privacy protections for personal information such as medical records, financial records, and purchases on-line. Rep. Markey is also leading the reform of the Food and Drug Administration, which continues to prevent important information concerning drug safety from being readily available to the public. As a leading consumer advocate in Congress, Rep. Markey protected consumers from fatal fires through the establishment of the first federal standard for cigarette fire safety.

PERSONAL

 
Ed Markey was born in Malden, Massachusetts, on July 11, 1946.  He attended Boston College (B.A., 1968) and Boston College Law School (J.D., 1972).  He served in the U.S. Army Reserve and was elected to the Massachusetts State House where he served two terms representing Malden and Melrose.  He is married to Dr. Susan Blumenthal.