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| Mikulski, a role model for generations of women in politics, to retire in 2016 | Mikulski, a role model for generations of women in politics, to retire in 2016 |
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| Sen. Barbara Mikulski, the Maryland Democrat who is the longest-serving woman in congressional history, announced Monday that she will leave the Senate next year at the end of her fifth term. | Sen. Barbara Mikulski, the Maryland Democrat who is the longest-serving woman in congressional history, announced Monday that she will leave the Senate next year at the end of her fifth term. |
| Mikulski, 78 and in good health, departs the way she came in — with a sharp tongue, an unabashed liberalism, and a reputation for straight talk. She won all ten of her elections to the House and then the Senate with support from more than 60 percent of voters. | Mikulski, 78 and in good health, departs the way she came in — with a sharp tongue, an unabashed liberalism, and a reputation for straight talk. She won all ten of her elections to the House and then the Senate with support from more than 60 percent of voters. |
| She told a news conference in Baltimore — where she still lives, just five minutes from the house where she grew up — that “there’s nothing gloomy about this announcement.... I’m not frustrated with the Senate.” Rather, she said, she decided that it made more sense at this stage of life to shift her focus: “Do I spend my time raising money or raising hell to meet your day-to-day needs?” | She told a news conference in Baltimore — where she still lives, just five minutes from the house where she grew up — that “there’s nothing gloomy about this announcement.... I’m not frustrated with the Senate.” Rather, she said, she decided that it made more sense at this stage of life to shift her focus: “Do I spend my time raising money or raising hell to meet your day-to-day needs?” |
| Mikulski’s decision surprised many Maryland Democrats, and set off a potentially wild scramble to replace her. “Maryland has a lot of talent — and they’ll be telling you about it within the next 10 minutes,” Mikulski quipped. | Mikulski’s decision surprised many Maryland Democrats, and set off a potentially wild scramble to replace her. “Maryland has a lot of talent — and they’ll be telling you about it within the next 10 minutes,” Mikulski quipped. |
| Despite her continued political popularity at home, the first woman to chair the powerful Appropriations Committee had to give up that position this year when Democrats lost control of the Senate. And Mikulski seemed rattled by former lieutenant governor Anthony Brown’s loss to Republican Larry Hogan in last fall’s governor’s race despite the Democrats’ better than 2-to-1 advantage in party registration. | Despite her continued political popularity at home, the first woman to chair the powerful Appropriations Committee had to give up that position this year when Democrats lost control of the Senate. And Mikulski seemed rattled by former lieutenant governor Anthony Brown’s loss to Republican Larry Hogan in last fall’s governor’s race despite the Democrats’ better than 2-to-1 advantage in party registration. |
| In the Senate, Mikulski was never one for grand legislative initiatives or globetrotting foreign policy interests. She focused on getting things done for her constituents, pushing for highway funding, environmental safeguards for the Chesapeake Bay, and security at the Port of Baltimore. | In the Senate, Mikulski was never one for grand legislative initiatives or globetrotting foreign policy interests. She focused on getting things done for her constituents, pushing for highway funding, environmental safeguards for the Chesapeake Bay, and security at the Port of Baltimore. |
| Often dubbed the Senate’s meanest member, she was regularly described as “prickly” by friends and foes alike. Yet she became a role model for generations of women in politics — in both parties. | Often dubbed the Senate’s meanest member, she was regularly described as “prickly” by friends and foes alike. Yet she became a role model for generations of women in politics — in both parties. |
| She was the second woman (and first Democratic woman) elected to the Senate who did not succeed her husband or father in elective office; Paula Hawkins, a Florida Republican,was the first, in 1980. | She was the second woman (and first Democratic woman) elected to the Senate who did not succeed her husband or father in elective office; Paula Hawkins, a Florida Republican,was the first, in 1980. |
| “While I was the first, I didn’t want to be the only,” she said Monday. She choked up briefly as she thanked the voters who have supported her through five decades in office. | “While I was the first, I didn’t want to be the only,” she said Monday. She choked up briefly as she thanked the voters who have supported her through five decades in office. |
| “Her leadership serves as an inspiration to millions of women and girls across the globe to stand up and lead,” President Obama said. “Barbara has always known that our budgets should reflect our deepest held values. In that spirit, Barbara has wielded her gavel and used her booming voice to advocate on behalf of paycheck fairness, childcare, health care, education, women’s rights and countless issues that have contributed to the strength of America’s families.” | “Her leadership serves as an inspiration to millions of women and girls across the globe to stand up and lead,” President Obama said. “Barbara has always known that our budgets should reflect our deepest held values. In that spirit, Barbara has wielded her gavel and used her booming voice to advocate on behalf of paycheck fairness, childcare, health care, education, women’s rights and countless issues that have contributed to the strength of America’s families.” |
| Among the potential candidates to replace Mikulski are two former governors, Martin O’Malley (D) and Robert Ehrlich (R); U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez, a Democrat from Takoma Park; and several House members, including Reps. Chris Van Hollen, the Montgomery County Democrat; Donna Edwards, the Prince George’s County Democrat; John Sarbanes, a Democrat from Baltimore and the son of a former senator; and Andy Harris, a Republican from the Eastern Shore. | Among the potential candidates to replace Mikulski are two former governors, Martin O’Malley (D) and Robert Ehrlich (R); U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez, a Democrat from Takoma Park; and several House members, including Reps. Chris Van Hollen, the Montgomery County Democrat; Donna Edwards, the Prince George’s County Democrat; John Sarbanes, a Democrat from Baltimore and the son of a former senator; and Andy Harris, a Republican from the Eastern Shore. |
| The Baltimore Sun once described Mikulski as “a vicious terrier,” but added, since this was in an editorial endorsing her reelection, that “she’s our terrier . . . and she’s delivered, big time.” | The Baltimore Sun once described Mikulski as “a vicious terrier,” but added, since this was in an editorial endorsing her reelection, that “she’s our terrier . . . and she’s delivered, big time.” |
| Colleagues sometimes referred to her as “the little general in pearls” — she’s 4-foot-11 — but Mikulski called herself “a social worker with power” and said her purpose as a politician was “to serve people with their day-to-day needs.” | Colleagues sometimes referred to her as “the little general in pearls” — she’s 4-foot-11 — but Mikulski called herself “a social worker with power” and said her purpose as a politician was “to serve people with their day-to-day needs.” |
| She worked in child protective services before entering politics, and was inspired by Michael Harrington’s book about poverty titled “The Other America.” She lives modestly and has a net worth of only about one-tenth that of the average senator, according to financial disclosure records. | She worked in child protective services before entering politics, and was inspired by Michael Harrington’s book about poverty titled “The Other America.” She lives modestly and has a net worth of only about one-tenth that of the average senator, according to financial disclosure records. |
| The daughter of Polish-American grocery store owners in Baltimore, Mikulski credited the nuns who taught her at the Institute of Notre Dame, a girls’ Catholic school where she was on the debate team (and the same school that produced House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.) Mikulski recalled a nun telling her, “You can do it, Barb, get out there and roll those Jesuit boys!” | The daughter of Polish-American grocery store owners in Baltimore, Mikulski credited the nuns who taught her at the Institute of Notre Dame, a girls’ Catholic school where she was on the debate team (and the same school that produced House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.) Mikulski recalled a nun telling her, “You can do it, Barb, get out there and roll those Jesuit boys!” |
| Mikulski has said she considered going into the convent because the nuns “were so beautiful. They all looked like Ingrid Bergman or Loretta Young in ‘The Bells of St. Mary’s.’ ” | |
| Instead, she was a social worker by profession and a fighter by inclination. She entered politics in 1971 when she was elected to the Baltimore City Council. She had watched her mother extend credit to customers when steelworkers in the neighborhood went on strike. She launched her political career by organizing neighbors to stand up against a plan to plow a 16-lane highway through Baltimore’s old ethnic communities. She won. | Instead, she was a social worker by profession and a fighter by inclination. She entered politics in 1971 when she was elected to the Baltimore City Council. She had watched her mother extend credit to customers when steelworkers in the neighborhood went on strike. She launched her political career by organizing neighbors to stand up against a plan to plow a 16-lane highway through Baltimore’s old ethnic communities. She won. |
| “I thought, ‘Gee, why should I be out there knocking on doors trying to get inside?’ ” she said in an interview in 1989 on C-SPAN. “Why not run for city council and be inside, opening the doors for the people?” | “I thought, ‘Gee, why should I be out there knocking on doors trying to get inside?’ ” she said in an interview in 1989 on C-SPAN. “Why not run for city council and be inside, opening the doors for the people?” |
| Although she relished her reputation as a bulldog, she was also the organizer of a longstanding effort to maintain bipartisan ties among the Senate’s women. | Although she relished her reputation as a bulldog, she was also the organizer of a longstanding effort to maintain bipartisan ties among the Senate’s women. |
| When Mikulski arrived in the Senate, women were not permitted in the Senate gym. Every two years for more than two decades, she has held what she called “power workshops” for new women elected to the Senate. She also holds dinners every other month for the Senate’s women — and she enforces the rules: no staff, no memos, no leaks. As the dean of the 20 women now in the Senate, she urged her fellow female senators to “disagree without being disagreeable. We are not a caucus, but we are a force,” she said. | When Mikulski arrived in the Senate, women were not permitted in the Senate gym. Every two years for more than two decades, she has held what she called “power workshops” for new women elected to the Senate. She also holds dinners every other month for the Senate’s women — and she enforces the rules: no staff, no memos, no leaks. As the dean of the 20 women now in the Senate, she urged her fellow female senators to “disagree without being disagreeable. We are not a caucus, but we are a force,” she said. |
| She spent years pushing for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a bill designed to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work. And she was particularly proud of writing a law that helps keep seniors from going bankrupt while caring for a spouse who is in a nursing home. | She spent years pushing for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a bill designed to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work. And she was particularly proud of writing a law that helps keep seniors from going bankrupt while caring for a spouse who is in a nursing home. |
| Together with Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas), she wrote a book on women in the Senate, called “Nine and Counting.” Mikulski and Hutchison teamed up to push for quality standards for mammograms, funding for breast cancer research, and strengthening the nation’s space program. | Together with Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas), she wrote a book on women in the Senate, called “Nine and Counting.” Mikulski and Hutchison teamed up to push for quality standards for mammograms, funding for breast cancer research, and strengthening the nation’s space program. |
| “She fought for us before we even got here, walked into rooms women had not been welcome in before, and made sure to keep her foot stuck in the door so other women could walk in behind her,” said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) “There used to be a Senate rule that women had to wear skirts on the Senate floor, but when Senator Mikulski decided that she was going to wear pants while casting her votes, it was the rule that had to change, not her.” | “She fought for us before we even got here, walked into rooms women had not been welcome in before, and made sure to keep her foot stuck in the door so other women could walk in behind her,” said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) “There used to be a Senate rule that women had to wear skirts on the Senate floor, but when Senator Mikulski decided that she was going to wear pants while casting her votes, it was the rule that had to change, not her.” |
| When members of Congress met on the Capitol steps after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Mikulski led them in a stirring rendition of “God Bless America.” | When members of Congress met on the Capitol steps after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Mikulski led them in a stirring rendition of “God Bless America.” |
| Growing up with parents who strongly backed President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s efforts to support poor and unemployed people, she believed throughout her career in using government to help the less fortunate. | Growing up with parents who strongly backed President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s efforts to support poor and unemployed people, she believed throughout her career in using government to help the less fortunate. |
| She was a vigorous advocate for abortion rights, and opposed the extensive use of outside contracting for government work. But she also worked with Republicans to craft the Clinton-era welfare reform. | She was a vigorous advocate for abortion rights, and opposed the extensive use of outside contracting for government work. But she also worked with Republicans to craft the Clinton-era welfare reform. |
| “I’m a doer,” she said, tracing her style to her roots as a Girl Scout. “I hope I’m earning my badge in good government.” | “I’m a doer,” she said, tracing her style to her roots as a Girl Scout. “I hope I’m earning my badge in good government.” |
| She said Dorothy Day, the leader of the Catholic Worker movement, and Saul Alinsky, the community organizer, inspired her political approach. Ultimately, she said, although she admired his techniques, she was disappointed by Alinsky’s philosophy, which she described as “organizing around the anger, frustrations and bitterness of people.” | She said Dorothy Day, the leader of the Catholic Worker movement, and Saul Alinsky, the community organizer, inspired her political approach. Ultimately, she said, although she admired his techniques, she was disappointed by Alinsky’s philosophy, which she described as “organizing around the anger, frustrations and bitterness of people.” |
| She said came to prefer Day’s quieter approach, “trying to find the hopes of people. Don’t make other people the enemy.” | She said came to prefer Day’s quieter approach, “trying to find the hopes of people. Don’t make other people the enemy.” |
| Mikulski remained a Baltimore resident throughout her time in Congress, commuting to the District daily. She was fiercely loyal to her home city and made little effort to connect with voters in the D.C. suburbs, even as the state’s population shifted and the counties near Washington accounted for a majority of voters. | Mikulski remained a Baltimore resident throughout her time in Congress, commuting to the District daily. She was fiercely loyal to her home city and made little effort to connect with voters in the D.C. suburbs, even as the state’s population shifted and the counties near Washington accounted for a majority of voters. |
| She also wrote mystery novels, with a former Los Angeles Times reporter, featuring the adventures of a freshman senator from Pennsylvania named Eleanor “Norie” Gorzack. Kirkus Reviews labeled her 1996 novel, “Capitol Offense,” “a feeble attempt at a Washington suspense novel,” but the New York Times’s reviewer said the senator had managed “to pull off something rare indeed — a novel that remains interesting and involving while also deftly touching on important issues.” | She also wrote mystery novels, with a former Los Angeles Times reporter, featuring the adventures of a freshman senator from Pennsylvania named Eleanor “Norie” Gorzack. Kirkus Reviews labeled her 1996 novel, “Capitol Offense,” “a feeble attempt at a Washington suspense novel,” but the New York Times’s reviewer said the senator had managed “to pull off something rare indeed — a novel that remains interesting and involving while also deftly touching on important issues.” |
| Jenna Johnson contributed to this report. | Jenna Johnson contributed to this report. |
| Read more: Mikulski, a role model for generations of women in politics Mikulski’s most colorful moments She made it okay for women to wear pants in the Senate Retirement will set off wild Democratic scramble to succeed her | Read more: Mikulski, a role model for generations of women in politics Mikulski’s most colorful moments She made it okay for women to wear pants in the Senate Retirement will set off wild Democratic scramble to succeed her |