Markey Makes First Senate Speech

U.S. Sen. Edward Markey has delivered his first speech in the chamber since winning a special election, promising to push for legislation on clean energy, gun control and Internet privacy among other things.

    The Massachusetts Democrat on Wednesday also called for an end to partisan gridlock and a reversal of automatic federal budget cuts, known as the sequester.

    In his maiden Senate speech, called climate change ``irrefutable'' and said he would file a bill setting a goal of 25 percent renewable energy in the U.S. by 2025.

    He also said the mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard earlier this week was a reminder of the need for more stringent gun laws.

    Markey served 36 years in the House before winning the race to succeed Secretary of State John Kerry in the Senate.

(Associated Press)