The Man Who Shapes How America Communicates

Rep. Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts is one of the most powerful people in Washington, D.C. He leads a key congressional subcommittee that oversees how Americans use phones, television, and computers. As these technologies grow and come together in new ways, Markey gets to help decide who benefits and who doesn't. At 47 years old, the son of a Boston milkman has come a long way from his working-class neighborhood.

Markey grew up in Malden, a blue-collar town just north of Boston. He went to Catholic schools and later earned a law degree from Boston College. As a kid, he drove an ice cream truck in the summers to help pay for college. Those roots shaped everything about how he does his job today. He often talks about protecting ordinary people — like a fictional character named 'Mrs. McGuillicuddy,' whom his committee uses as a stand-in for the average American when testing new laws.

Before he was powerful, Markey was known as a bold and independent thinker. As a young state lawmaker in Massachusetts, he made fellow legislators so angry that they shoved his desk into the hallway. But that didn't stop him. He kept speaking up, and in 1976, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Over time, his determination and hard work earned him real respect in Washington.

By 1987, Markey became chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance. That job gave him enormous influence over Wall Street, phone companies, TV networks, and the entertainment business. His colleague Rep. W.J. Tauzin said simply: 'Ed Markey has arrived.' With a fellow Democrat in the White House who shared his goals, Markey was finally in a position to make big changes.

One of Markey's biggest victories came when he pushed through a law to re-regulate the cable TV industry. President George Bush vetoed it — meaning he tried to block it from becoming law — but Markey worked hard to get enough votes to override that veto. That made him the only member of Congress during Bush's four years to successfully override a presidential veto. It proved that Markey could fight tough battles and win.

Markey also helped pass an important law after the 1987 stock market crash. His committee created a plan that increased punishments for insider trading, which is when people cheat by using secret information to profit in the stock market. The law also held companies responsible for what their employees did. Every single member of the House voted for it, and the President signed it into law that same year.

Not everyone is completely happy with Markey, though. Consumer champion Ralph Nader once said Markey was spending too much time with the powerful business leaders he was supposed to be watching. Some critics noted that wealthy people from the industries Markey oversees donate money to his campaigns. Markey argues that taking money from individuals is fairer than accepting funds from large special-interest groups, and says he has long supported public funding for campaigns.

Markey also took on the issue of TV violence. Along with Senator Paul Simon of Illinois, he pressured TV networks to warn viewers before showing violent programs. The networks agreed to air warnings before violent content. Some critics said the plan didn't go far enough, but Markey called it 'the dawning of a new era.'

When it comes to technology, Markey believes the government's job is to create fair conditions where new ideas can grow or fail on their own merits. He has supported expanding wireless technology and eased some rules that kept phone companies from competing with cable TV. At the same time, he has stayed watchful over Wall Street, making sure new computer-based trading doesn't hurt small investors. He believes the 1980s sent the wrong message that financial watchdogs had been weakened.

People across the political world have come to respect Markey. Rep. Jack Fields of Texas, a Republican, called him 'one of the fairest chairmen in the House.' A top phone company executive said Markey is 'plugged into the pulse of the issues in our industry.' Even those who disagree with him admit he listens carefully, works across party lines, and fights for what he believes is right. From driving an ice cream truck to becoming one of Washington's most powerful lawmakers, Ed Markey's journey is far from over.