Barbara Mikulski

Barbara Ann Mikulski, a Democrat, has been a United States Senator representing Maryland since 1987. She is the most senior female U.S. Senator.

Iraq War
Mikulski voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq in Oct. 2002.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Sexual orientation
During the 1986 campaign, her opponent, Linda Chavez, made Mikulski's sexual orientation and her relationship with one of her staffers a central issue of the campaign. Mikulski never directly responded to the issue, and has made attempts to insinuate that she is heterosexual. .

Bio
Mikulski was born July 20, 1936 in Baltimore, Maryland. After graduating from Mount St. Agnes College (now a part of the Loyola College in Maryland), she obtained her Master's degree in social work from the University of Maryland, College Park. She worked as a social worker for Catholic charities and Baltimore's Department of Social Services, helping at-risk children and educating seniors about the Medicare program. Mikulkski became an activist social worker when she heard about plans to build a 16 lane highway through Baltimore's Fells Point neighborhood. She helped organize communities on both sides of the city and stopped the construction of the road, saving Fells Point (now one of Baltimore's most popular neighborhoods) and Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

Her activism led to a positive reputation and a seat on the Baltimore City Council in 1971. In 1974 she ran for the U.S. Senate for the first time, but was defeated by the Republican incumbent, Charles Mathias, Jr. In 1976, she ran for the House of Representatives representing the third district of Maryland, winning 76% of the vote.

Senate Career
In 1986 Mikulski announced her retirement from politics, but in the same year decided to run for the Senate seat vacated by retiring Senator Charles Mathias. Then Gov. Harry Hughes had been expected to run for the seat, but in the aftermath of the Maryland Savings and Loan crisis he lost his popularity with voters, opening the door for Mikulski's bid for the Senate. Mikulski eventually won the race with 61% of the vote.

Mikulski is the dean of Women in the United States Senate and previously served as the third-ranking Senate Democrat.

Senator Mikulski has taken a strong stance against predatory lending, even going so far as to take personal action against Fairbanks Capital, which is claimed to have illegally foreclosed on over 100 homes in Maryland.

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * Senate Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science
 * Subcommittee on Defense
 * Subcommittee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
 * Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, Judiciary, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
 * Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
 * Subcommittee on Retirement and Aging
 * Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety
 * Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * Senate Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Commerce Justice and Science - Ranking Minority Member
 * Subcommittee on Defense
 * Subcommittee on State Foreign Operations and Related Programs
 * Subcommittee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Interior
 * Subcommittee on Transportation Treasury the Judiciary and Housing and Urban Development
 * Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
 * Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
 * Subcommittee on Retirement Security and Aging - Ranking Minority Member
 * Subcommittee on Bioterrorism Preparendess and Public Health
 * Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety

Resources

 * Official website
 * See how you compare to Barbara Mikulski

Articles about Barbara Mikulski

 * Rick Maze, "Senator shocked by lack of plans for vet care," Army Times, March 8, 2007. re Walter Reed Army Medical Center scandal

Articles by Barbara Mikulski

 * "Mikulski Stands Up For Federal Employees at Walter Reed Army Medical Center," Office of Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, March 6, 2006.