Ed Markey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ed Markey
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Markey in 2023
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| Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Joni Ernst |
| United States Senator from Massachusetts |
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| Assumed office July 16, 2013 Serving with Elizabeth Warren
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| Preceded by | Mo Cowan |
| Chair of the House Global Warming Committee |
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| In office March 8, 2007 – January 6, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts |
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| In office November 2, 1976 – July 15, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Torbert Macdonald |
| Succeeded by | Katherine Clark |
| Constituency | 7th district (1976–2013) 5th district (2013) |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives |
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| In office January 3, 1975 – November 2, 1976 |
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| Preceded by | Edward Dickson |
| Succeeded by | John McNeil |
| Constituency | 26th Middlesex |
| In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1975 |
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| Preceded by | William Callahan |
| Succeeded by | Richard McGrath |
| Constituency | 16th Middlesex |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Edward John Markey
July 11, 1946 Malden, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Susan Blumenthal
(m. 1988) |
| Education | Boston College (BA, JD) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | |
| Years of service | 1968–1973 |
| Rank | Specialist 4 |
Edward John Markey (born July 11, 1946) is an American politician. He is a U.S. Senator for Massachusetts. He has held this position since 2013.
Markey is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming a senator, he served for many years in the United States House of Representatives. He was a U.S. Representative for Massachusetts from 1976 to 2013. He also served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1973 to 1976.
In 2013, Markey was elected to the Senate in a special election. This happened after Senator John Kerry became the United States Secretary of State. Markey is known for his focus on climate change and energy policy. He is a progressive politician. He helped create the Green New Deal plan. He is currently the longest-serving Democrat in Congress. Many young voters support his ideas.
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Early Life and Education
Edward John Markey was born on July 11, 1946, in Malden, Massachusetts. His father was a milkman. His mother was very smart but could not go to college. Markey's family was Irish Catholic. He went to Immaculate Conception School and Malden Catholic High School.
In the summers, Markey worked as an ice cream truck driver and salesperson. He was known as "Eddie the Ice Cream Man." He used the money he earned to pay for his college tuition. He graduated from Boston College in 1968. He then earned a law degree from Boston College Law School in 1972.
Early Career
After law school, Markey worked as a lawyer. He also served in the United States Army Reserve from 1968 to 1973. He reached the rank of Specialist 4. He joined the Reserve before knowing if he would be drafted for the Vietnam War.
From 1973 to 1976, Markey was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He represented districts that included Malden and Melrose.
U.S. House of Representatives
In 1976, Markey was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He won a special election to fill a vacant seat. This also counted as a regular election for a full two-year term. This allowed him to start his term early and gain more seniority than other new Representatives.
Markey was reelected 19 more times. He served in the House for over 36 years. His district covered many northern suburbs of Boston.
Key Issues in the House
Markey was part of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. This group supports progressive policies.
Environment and Energy
Markey focused a lot on the environment and energy. In 2007, he became the first U.S. politician to use Second Life to speak about climate change. He spoke to delegates at a United Nations climate meeting. This saved a lot of carbon dioxide emissions from travel.
He pushed BP to show live video of the oil leak during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. Markey has often criticized the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). He was concerned about their decisions on reactor designs and their response to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.
Markey often used humor to highlight the seriousness of climate change. He once suggested that people who deny global warming should form a country on an iceberg. He also joked that he worried Republicans might "overturn the law of gravity" because of their views on science.
From 2007 to 2011, Markey chaired the United States House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. This committee focused on finding new energy sources and addressing global warming.
Internet and Privacy
Markey worked on laws to change daylight saving time. He also worked to increase privacy protections for children online. He supported net neutrality, which means all internet traffic should be treated equally. In 2009, he sponsored the Internet Freedom Preservation Act. This bill aimed to make net neutrality a law.
He also pushed for better security for air cargo on passenger planes. In 2007, he helped pass a law requiring all cargo on passenger planes to be screened.
Other Domestic Issues
Markey introduced legislation to protect people from unfair non-compete clauses in jobs. He also supported expanding access to childcare for working families. He worked to ensure that educational content for children remained available on television.
U.S. Senate
Markey became a U.S. Senator in 2013. He won a special election to fill the seat left by John Kerry. Kerry had been nominated to be Secretary of State. Markey defeated Republican Gabriel E. Gomez in the election.
Markey has served longer in the House than any other member elected to the Senate. He has been in Congress since 1976.
Senate Elections
2014 Election
Markey ran for a full six-year term in 2014. He won with 62% of the vote.
2020 Election
In 2020, Markey faced a primary challenge from Joe Kennedy III. Markey won the primary with 55.6% of the vote. He had strong support from young voters and progressive groups like the Sunrise Movement. He then won the general election against Republican Kevin O'Connor.
Key Issues in the Senate
Markey is known for writing many public letters. He posts these letters on his website and sends them to the press. This helps him draw attention to issues he cares about.
In January 2021, Markey was at the U.S. Capitol when it was attacked. He and his staff stayed safe in a hidden location. He spoke out strongly against the attack and called for accountability.
Climate Change
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Markey is a strong advocate for addressing climate change. He is the Senate author of the Green New Deal. This plan aims to transition the U.S. to 100% clean energy. It also seeks to create new jobs and reduce poverty.
In 2019, he sponsored the Climate Security Act. This bill aimed to integrate climate science into national security planning. He was also a member of the Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis.
Healthcare
Markey supports a single-payer healthcare system. This means a federal health insurance program that covers all U.S. residents. He co-sponsored the 2017 Medicare for All Act. He also supports equal federal Medicaid funding for U.S. territories.
Gun Safety
Markey supports stricter gun control laws. He advocates for improved background checks for gun purchases. He also wants to end illegal gun trafficking. In 2015, he proposed a "smart gun" bill. This bill would equip handguns with technology so only the owner could use them.
After the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Markey called for a ban on bump stocks. These devices make semi-automatic weapons fire faster.
Internet and Technology
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Markey continues to advocate for net neutrality. He believes internet providers should be regulated more like traditional phone companies. He also works to ensure that programs like Lifeline, which help low-income families get internet access, are not cut.
He has raised concerns about internet privacy. He questioned how companies like Facebook use personal data.
LGBTQ+ Rights
Markey supports LGBT rights. In 1996, he voted against the Defense of Marriage Act. He has co-sponsored the Equality Act, which aims to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. In 2023, he introduced the Transgender Bill of Rights. This resolution recognizes the federal government's duty to protect the rights of transgender and nonbinary people.
Public Transportation
Markey supports making public transit fare-free. In 2020, he and Representative Ayanna Pressley introduced the Freedom to Move Act. This bill would offer grants to transit agencies that provide free public transportation. He believes this would help low-income workers, families, and people with disabilities access jobs and services.
Personal Life
Since 1988, Markey has been married to Susan Blumenthal. She served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Women's Health. She also held the rank of rear admiral as Assistant U.S. Surgeon General.
Markey had a small role in the 2003 film Gods and Generals. He played an Irish Brigade officer.
Electoral History
See also
In Spanish: Ed Markey para niños
