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Portrait of Edward J. MarkeyPhoto: unitedstates.github.io

MA · Officeholder

Edward J. Markey

DU.S. Senator · Massachusetts

On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: U.S. Senate · Massachusetts

Biography

Ed Markey is the incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, elected in a June 2013 special election after 37 years in the U.S. House. A lawyer and former state legislator, he has served on the Senate Commerce, Environment and Public Works, HELP and Small Business committees.[1][2][3] He is seeking a third full term after defeating Rep. Seth Moulton in the September 1, 2026 Democratic primary.[3]

Markey was born in Malden, Massachusetts, on July 11, 1946, the son of a milkman, and attended Malden Catholic High School.[1][3][4] He earned a B.A. from Boston College in 1968 and a J.D. from Boston College Law School in 1972, and served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1968 to 1973.[1][3]

Markey worked as a lawyer and was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where he served two terms, from 1973 to 1976, representing Malden and Melrose.[1][3] He won a 1976 special election to the U.S. House, then the 7th District and later the 5th, and served until 2013, becoming Dean of the Massachusetts delegation.[1][3][4] In the House he chaired the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming from 2007 to 2010 and, for 20 years, chaired or was ranking member of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.[1] According to his Senate biography, he was the House author of the 1992 Cable Act and the Children's Online Privacy and Protection Act and co-authored the 2009 Waxman-Markey climate bill, which passed the House.[1]

Markey won the Democratic primary on April 30, 2013, over Rep. Stephen Lynch, and the June 25, 2013 special election over Republican Gabriel Gomez, 54.9% to 44.7%, to fill the seat vacated by John Kerry.[3] He was re-elected in 2014 and in 2020, when he defeated Rep. Joe Kennedy III in the Democratic primary, 55.4% to 44.5%.[3] In the Senate he serves on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and Small Business and Entrepreneurship committees, and is ranking member of the Small Business Committee and of the HELP subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security.[2] He won the September 1, 2026 Democratic primary against Moulton with 65.6% of the vote.[3] His Senate biography says he is married to Dr. Susan Blumenthal.[1]

  1. 1.About Ed · Office of Sen. Edward J. Markey Official record
  2. 2.Committee Assignments · Office of Sen. Edward J. Markey · 2026-09-25 Official record
  3. 3.Ed Markey · Ballotpedia Reference
  4. 4.Ed Markey · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.

On the ballot

Full candidate research ›U.S. Senate · Massachusetts ›

Also on the ballot for this seat

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Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 2 of 835 party-divided votes on file.

  • Scott (FL) Amdt. No. 3535; To require Presidential appointment and Senate confirmation of the Inspector General of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

    A yes vote adopted Scott (FL) Amendment 3535 to the National Defense Authorization Act, which would require presidential appointment and Senate confirmation of the Inspector General for the Federal Reserve Board and CFPB (60 votes needed). (AI-written)

    What it does: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2026 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, military construction, and the national securit…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 8–36, Republicans 42–6

    Oct 9, 2025Official record ↗

  • Motion to Waive Section 313(b)(1)(A) of the Congressional Budget Act Re: Kennedy Amdt. No. 2772 ; To prohibit the use of Defense Production Act of 1950 funds without the approval of Congress.

    A yes vote waived Budget Act Section 313(b)(1)(A) (a 60-vote motion) so Amendment 2772 to H.R. 1, which would prohibit use of Defense Production Act of 1950 funds without congressional approval, could be considered. (AI-written)

    What it does: This act reduces taxes, reduces or increases spending for various federal programs, increases the statutory debt limit, and otherwise addresses agencies and programs throughout the federal government.

    Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 32–13, Republicans 8–43

    Jun 30, 2025Official record ↗

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

See all their split votes

Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.

PN1129 · U.S. SENATE

Confirmation: Keith Sonderling, of F.L., to be Secretary of Labor

NoVOTED

Motion: On the Nomination

Confirms Keith Sonderling as Secretary of Labor.

AI summary — read the bill text ↗
Confirmed 47–41·Substantive·Sep 30, 2026Roll call ↗
PN1129 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Invoke Cloture: Keith Sonderling to be Secretary of Labor

NoVOTED

Motion: On the Cloture Motion

A yes vote ended debate (cloture) so the Senate could move to a final vote on the nomination of Keith Sonderling to be Secretary of Labor. (AI-written)

Agreed to 53–47·Procedural·Sep 30, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9340 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to H.R. 9340; A bill to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish a Federal standard relating to the recovery of the full, incremental costs of upgrades that serve large-load customers, and for other purposes.

NoVOTED

Motion: On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed

A yes vote would have ended debate on whether the Senate should begin considering H.R. 9340, a bill setting a federal standard on recovering the costs of upgrades serving large-load electricity customers (cloture on the motion to proceed). (AI-written)

Ratepayer Protection Act The bill requires state utility regulators and nonregulated utilities to consider implementing a standard to hold certain large-load customers responsible for the costs associated with any generation, transmission, or distribution upgrade of electric service necessary to serve such customers.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 57–43·Procedural·Sep 30, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 7008 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed: H.R. 7008; A bill to amend chapter 131 of title 5 to require certain restrictions on stocks for Members of Congress and their spouses and dependents, and for other purposes.

NoVOTED

Motion: On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed

A yes vote would have ended debate on whether the Senate should begin considering H.R. 7008, a bill requiring certain restrictions on stocks held by Members of Congress and their spouses and dependents (cloture on the motion to proceed). (AI-written)

Stop Insider Trading Act This bill generally prohibits Members of Congress and their spouses and dependent children from purchasing stocks and requires public notice before these individuals may sell stocks.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 53–47·Procedural·Sep 30, 2026Roll call ↗
S.Res. 852 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Discharge S. Res. 852; A resolution requesting information on Israel's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

YesVOTED

Motion: On the Motion to Discharge

A yes vote would have discharged S.Res. 852, requesting information on Israel's human rights practices under section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act, from committee so the Senate could consider it. (AI-written)

As introduced, requests that the Secretary of State give Congress, within 30 days, a statement on Israel's human rights practices, including information on alleged killings of U.S. citizens by Israeli forces or settlers since 2022, Americans held in Israeli prisons and detained Palestinian children.

AI summary — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 47–51·Procedural·Sep 29, 2026Roll call ↗
S.J.Res. 197 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Proceed to S.J. Res. 197; A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; and Basic Health Program".

YesVOTED

Motion: On the Motion to Proceed

A yes vote would have moved the Senate to take up S.J.Res. 197, a resolution to disapprove the CMS rule on the 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters and the Basic Health Program. (AI-written)

Overturns the federal health agency's 2027 rule setting payment parameters and standards for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, including insurer user fees, broker rules, hardship exemptions and catastrophic-plan options, so the rule has no legal effect.

AI summary — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 48–51·Procedural·Sep 29, 2026Roll call ↗
S. 4668 · U.S. SENATE

S. 4668, as amended; A bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes.

NoVOTED

Motion: On Passage of the Bill

Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 77–22·Substantive·Sep 28, 2026Roll call ↗
S. 4668 · U.S. SENATE

Booker Amdt. No. 6835; To establish certain standards with respect to coaches of varsity sports teams.

YesVOTED

Motion: On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6835

A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 6835, which would establish certain standards for coaches of varsity sports teams. (AI-written)

Amendment purpose (official): To establish certain standards with respect to coaches of varsity sports teams.

Bill summary: Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 47–52·Substantive·Sep 28, 2026Roll call ↗
S. 4668 · U.S. SENATE

Booker Amdt. No. 6805; To increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student athletes.

YesVOTED

Motion: On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6805

A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 6805, which would increase the limit on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury coverage for student athletes. (AI-written)

Amendment purpose (official): To increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student athletes.

Bill summary: Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 49–50·Substantive·Sep 28, 2026Roll call ↗
S. 4668 · U.S. SENATE

Kennedy Amdt. No. 6760; To limit price increases for college athletics tickets.

YesVOTED

Motion: On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6760

A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 6760, which would limit price increases for college athletics tickets. (AI-written)

Amendment purpose (official): To limit price increases for college athletics tickets.

Bill summary: Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 42–54·Substantive·Sep 28, 2026Roll call ↗

Showing 10 of 911 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.