(WASHINGTON) Today, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) was sworn in to the 114^th Congress by Vice President Joe Biden. Senator Markey was elected for his first full-term to the United States Senate after having won a special election in 2013 to fill the vacant seat of John Kerry after he was appointed Secretary of State.

“I was honored to be sworn in today by Vice President Joe Biden today. I know that no matter the politics of the day, our challenges remain the same - to educate all of our kids, to protect our planet, to create a new generation of jobs, and promote the American ideals of equality and justice for all. I look forward to working to move Massachusetts and our nation forward.”

Senator Markey was elected in 1976 to the U.S. House of Representatives and served 18 terms in the House. He has become a national leader on energy and environmental issues, working successfully to pass comprehensive climate legislation in the House, increase fuel economy standards and hold BP accountable after the Deepwater Horizon explosion. Senator Markey has strengthened homeland security in the areas of nuclear, air and maritime cargo and chemical security. He is regarded as an expert in telecommunications and technology policy and has worked to ensure openness and competition, including breaking down monopolies in the cable television and telephone markets.