Norton Sees Tremendous Loss in Senator Barbara Mikulski’s Retirement

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released the following statement on Senator Barbara Mikulski's (D-MD) announcement that she will not be seeking reelection to the U.S. Senate:

"Senator Barbara Mikulski, who also served in the House, is a historic senator for a lot more than enjoying the confidence of her constituents for so long that she became the longest-serving woman in the history of the Congress of the United States. Barbara Mikulski rose to become the most powerful woman in the Senate in American history. She was the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee for only two years, but they were the most difficult appropriations years in memory. Yet, she got two omnibus appropriations bills through Congress. Barbara's incredible work ethic and willingness to stand steadfast against opponents at the same time that she demonstrated incredible negotiating skills made her a standout senator, fitting for the first woman in history to serve as the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"Barbara's retirement is a special blow to the District of Columbia. Senator Mikulski was a champion for D.C. democracy, statehood, and home rule, and in fiscal year 2014 got the most pro-home-rule D.C. appropriations bill in history approved by any committee. Her bill would have granted both D.C. budget autonomy and legislative autonomy and had no anti-home-rule riders. In addition, as chair, Senator Mikulski got D.C., for the first-time ever, exempted from shutdowns for an entire fiscal year (fiscal years 2015 and 2016).

"I first knew Barbara Mikulski when she was in the civil rights movement. She was undaunted in taking those difficult issues to ethnic communities in ways they could understand. She brought the same sense of principle to the Senate, unabashedly standing tall for equal rights and economic justice throughout her storied career in the Senate and the House.

"I can only wish Maryland good luck as the state tries to find a senator with the collective talents and passion to replace Barbara Mikulski."