Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) will step down as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet to lead the Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment, according to a Boston Globe report today.
Markey has been involved in a variety of political issues in the wireless business, by commenting and holding hearings on everything from AWS to DTV, pretexting to universal service.
Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA), who currently runs the energy committee, is likely to take Markey’s place. Boucher comes from rural Virginia – not a hotbed of high technology – but does serve as co-chairman of the Congressional Internet Caucus.
Public Knowledge, a consumer advocacy group, issued a statement in support of Boucher.
“We are delighted with the selection of Rep. Boucher as the chairman of the Telecom Subcommittee. Mr. Boucher is a champion of the Internet… dedicated to bringing technological innovation to our economy,” president Gigi Sohn stated. “He has also been a leader on intellectual-property issues and a dedicated defender of consumer rights in the digital age.”