*Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 *

**Statement on Senator Barbara A. Mikulski's Decision Not To Seek Reelection **

*March 2, 2015 *

Senator Mikulski is more than just a legendary Senator for the people of Maryland, she's an institution in the United States Senate. Barbara's service to the people of Maryland spans decades, but her legacy will span generations. Barbara is the longest serving woman in Congress, and her leadership serves as an inspiration to millions of women and girls across the globe to stand up and lead.

As the chairwoman and now vice chairwoman of the Senate's Appropriations Committee, 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. Thanks to her leadership, more women excel in their careers, more children have access to quality education, more families have health insurance, and more people are treated fairly under the law. I look forward to working with Senator Mikulski over the course of the next 2 years, and Michelle and I extend our warmest wishes to Barbara in her next endeavors.

*Categories:* Statements by the President : Mikulski, Sen. Barbara A., decision not to seek reelection*.*

*Names:* Mikulski, Barbara A.; Obama, Michelle*.*

*Subjects:* Civil rights : Women's rights and gender equality; Maryland : U.S. Senator, retirement.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201500144.