Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV has welcomed Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) became a senator last month as the communications-savvy legislator coasted to victory in a special election to fill the seat of Secretary of State John Kerry. Markey’s margin of victory over opponent Gabriel Gomez was 55%-45%.The Kerry seat had been kept warm by governor-appointed William Cowan.
Markey has long been a key player in both the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and its Communications Subcommittee. And both Kerry and Cowan have served on the counterpart Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
Said Sen. Rockefeller: “I’m thrilled to welcome Senator Markey to the Commerce Committee. He brings thirty-seven years of experience in the House, where he became renowned for his tough but fair approach to consumer protection issues. Senator Markey shares my commitment to making sure consumers have more control over their personal information. And he shares my deep commitment to bring the power of technology to all students through E-Rate. We know this is one of the best chances they have to compete in the growing global economy. I look forward to partnering with Senator Markey to advance these issues, and so many more, that will make life better for millions of Americans now and in the future.”
RBR-TVBR observation: As predicted, the odds were Markey will be retain his ability to have an impact on communications legislation. Almost every member of the full Senate Commerce Committee sit on its Communications Subcommittee, so we expected Markey would slide seamlessly into this familiar area of responsibility.
