Mikulski, B
Mikulski, Barbara A.DMD80%84%
==
suports udall on green:
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday advanced a $30.01 billion spending bill that takes aim at President Obama’s environmental regulations.
The bill would fund the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Interior Department for fiscal 2016, which begins Oct. 1, by $400 million below the level Congress enacted for 2015 and $2.2 billion less than Obama’s request.
Lawmakers voted 16-14 to advance the bill to the Senate floor. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), the ranking member on the panel, signaled Democrats would oppose the bill because of its low funding allocation.
Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), the top Democrat on the subcommittee that oversees the bill, offered three separate amendments that would boost funding to various programs, strip all policy riders and specifically remove a policy rider regarding climate change.
All three were narrowly rejected by the GOP-led panel.
==
a Democrat, has been a United States Senator representing Maryland since 1987. She is the most senior female U.S. Senator. (map)
Contents [hide] |
Record and controversies
General information about important bills and votes for can be found in Congresspedia's articles on legislation. You can add information you find on how Barbara Mikulski voted by clicking the "[edit]" link to the right and typing it in. Remember to cite your sources!
Iraq War
Mikulski voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq in Oct. 2002.
For more information see the chart of U.S. Senate votes on the Iraq War.
Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal
Immigration
Voting Record on Immigration| Title of Bill | Date of Bill | Bill Number | Voted | Description |
| Secure Fence Act | September 14, 2006 | HR 6061 | Yes | The United States will have constant surveillance on its borders by both land and sea through new technology such as ground sensors and vehicles continuously patrolling the area. There will be a fence stretching over 700 miles along the Southwest border as America tries to increase security presence. [1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English as the Common Language | June 6, 2007 | S.AMDT.1384 | Yes | Bill that will make English the common language of the United States. [2] |
| Barring Immigrants with Certain Criminal Histories | June 6, 2007 | S.AMDT.1333 | Yes | Amendment to bill S.1348. Increases penalties for illegal immigrants who have a criminal history especially with gangs and crimes against children. [3] |
| Border Fence and Customs Appropriations | July 26, 2007 | S.AMDT.2480 | Yes | The United States government will give 3 billion dollars to the Homeland Security department. The amendment highlights are that over 23,000 employees will be hired and trained with expertise in border control and this money will help build 700 mile long fence in the Secure Fence Act. [4] |
| Department of Homeland Security Appropriations | July 26, 2007 | HR 2638 | Yes | The Department of Homeland Security would receive 40 billion dollars for 2008 to spend. [5] |
| Immigration Enforcement and Border Fence Amendment | March 13, 2008 | S Amdt 4231 | No | Allows for the Budget Committee to increase spending for the Homeland Security Department. [6] |
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. [7].
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
| EMILY's List | $124,423 | $124,423 | $0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northrop Grumman | $95,200 | $38,150 | $57,050 |
| Johns Hopkins University | $92,050 | $92,050 | $0 |
| Van Scoyoc Assoc | $75,805 | $66,460 | $9,345 |
| Lockheed Martin | $67,850 | $31,750 | $36,100 |
| Law Offices of Peter G Angelos | $65,500 | $65,500 | $0 |
| DLA Piper | $60,612 | $40,088 | $20,524 |
| Venable LLP | $47,150 | $42,650 | $4,500 |
| Constellation Energy | $45,250 | $25,000 | $20,250 |
| General Motors | $43,300 | $6,600 | $36,700 |
| Raytheon Co | $43,000 | $11,000 | $32,000 |
| Boeing Co | $41,950 | $2,950 | $39,000 |
| Honeywell International | $41,600 | $5,100 | $36,500 |
| Orbital Sciences Corp | $41,500 | $10,500 | $31,000 |
| American Fedn of St/Cnty/Munic Employees | $41,000 | $0 | $41,000 |
| Forest City Enterprises | $41,000 | $31,000 | $10,000 |
| National Assn of Realtors | $40,986 | $1,000 | $39,986 |
| American Postal Workers Union | $40,100 | $0 | $40,100 |
| American Assn for Justice | $40,000 | $0 | $40,000 |
| Sheet Metal Workers Union | $40,000 | $0 | $40,000 |
| Lawyers/Law Firms | $874,899 |
|---|---|
| Lobbyists | $614,903 |
| Real Estate | $600,895 |
| Pro-Israel | $589,559 |
| Health Professionals | $513,155 |
| Women's Issues | $513,140 |
| Retired | $439,604 |
| Public Sector Unions | $419,332 |
| Pharmaceuticals/Health Products | $394,095 |
| Transportation Unions | $357,300 |
| Securities & Investment | $335,281 |
| Education | $295,449 |
| Misc Defense | $284,535 |
| Defense Aerospace | $284,400 |
| Leadership PACs | $259,875 |
| Hospitals/Nursing Homes | $253,159 |
| Air Transport | $247,189 |
| Defense Electronics | $220,425 |
| Industrial Unions | $217,807 |
| Building Trade Unions | $215,050 |
Sector Totals
| Sector | Total | PACs | Indivs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agribusiness | $215,202 | $142,352 | $72,850 |
| Communications/Electronics | $701,011 | $351,417 | $349,594 |
| Construction | $292,833 | $107,950 | $184,883 |
| Defense | $789,360 | $530,250 | $259,110 |
| Energy & Natural Resources | $267,010 | $199,800 | $67,210 |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | $1,555,355 | $533,605 | $1,021,750 |
| Health | $1,324,234 | $905,648 | $418,586 |
| Lawyers & Lobbyists | $1,489,802 | $256,584 | $1,233,218 |
| Transportation | $535,489 | $356,418 | $179,071 |
| Misc Business | $782,187 | $294,261 | $487,926 |
| Labor | $1,307,839 | $1,305,839 | $2,000 |
| Ideological/Single-Issue | $1,714,503 | $655,868 | $1,058,635 |
| Other | $993,318 | $55,500 | $937,818 |
This section contains links to – and feeds from – money in politics databases. cid=N00001945&cycle=2006cid=N00001945&cycle=2008
Links to more campaign contribution information for Barbara Mikulski from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org site. | Links to more campaign contribution information for Barbara Mikulski from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org site. | Links to more campaign contribution information for Barbara Mikulski from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org site. |
|---|---|---|
| Fundraising profile: | 2006 election cycle | Career totals |
| Top contributors by organization/corporation: | 2006 election cycle | Career totals |
| Top contributors by industry: | 2006 election cycle | Career totals |
- Revolving door profile for Barbara Mikulski from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org website.
- 2006 privately funded travel profile for Barbara Mikulski from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org website.
- Personal finance profile for Barbara Mikulski from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org website.
Committees and Affiliations
Committees
- 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
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
More Background Data
Wikipedia also has an article on Barbara Mikulski. This article may use content from the Wikipedia article under the terms of the GFDL.
Contact
DC Office:
503 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-2003
Phone:202-224-4654
Fax:202-224-8858
District Office- Annapolis:
60 West Street, Suite 202
Annapolis, MD 21401-2448
Phone: 410-263-1805
Phone: 410-269-1650
Fax: 410-263-5949
District Office- Baltimore:
1629 Thames Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
Phone: 410-962-4510
TTYD Number: 410-962-4512
Fax: 410-962-4760
District Office- Greenbelt:
6404 Ivy Lane, Suite 406
Greenbelt, MD 20770-1407
Phone: 301-345-5517
Fax: 301-345-7573
District Office- Hagerstown:
32 West Washington Street, Room 203
Hagerstown, MD 21740-4804
Phone: 301-797-2826
Fax: 301-797-2241
Articles and Resources
Resources
Local blogs and discussion sites
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.
Corresponding article on Wikipedia and Cause Caller. (If Cause Caller link does not work, pick from its list of senators and representatives.)
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Barbara_Mikulski
The so-called "Monsanto Protection Act," a controversial provision protecting the biotech giant from litigation, has found an unusual critic in the tea party.
The provision, Section 735, was slipped anonymously into the Senate version of the continuing resolution as part of the Agricultural Appropriations Bill, subsequently passed by the House and signed into law by President Barack Obama late last month.
Since then it's ignited an advocacy firestorm, with 250,000 people signing a petition opposing the provision and Food Democracy Now network organizing a protest at the White House last week. Critics -- including members of the tea party -- have expressed dismay, not only at the provision's contents, but at the secretive way in which the biotech rider was introduced.
"It is not the purview of Tea Party Patriots to comment on the merits of GMOs -– that is a discussion and debate for experts and activists within that field," wrote Dustin Siggins, who blogs for Tea Party Patriots, on the group's website. "From the perspective of citizens who want open, transparent government that serves the people, however, the so-called 'Monsanto Protection Act,' Section 735 of the Continuing Resolution, is one heck of a special interest loophole for friends of Congress."
The Center for Food Safety is placing blame for the measure's covert introduction with the Senate Appropriations Committee and its chairman, Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.). "While there are no definite fingerprints for whoever is responsible for the rider, the earmark was allowed under the direction of Senator Barbara Mikulski," the center wrote on its website. Most lawmakers appear to have been unaware the provision was even included in the C.R., according to reports.
Last week, Mikulski's office issued a statement distancing the senator from the provision. "Senator Mikulski understands the anger over this provision. She didn't put the language in the bill and doesn't support it either," the statement reads. "As Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Mikulski's first responsibility was to prevent a government shutdown. That meant she had to compromise on many of her own priorities to get a bill through the Senate that the House would pass. "
The provision's impact is unclear, since the underlying spending bill expires Sept. 30. Siggins argues in his lengthy :{Tea Party Patriots :(style="color:#ed1c24"):}:post analyzing the issue that it sets a "dangerous precedent." He concludes:
This all can be boiled down into a single, common phrase: a special interest loophole, and a doozy at that. We are used to subsidies, which give your tax dollars to companies to give them advantages over competitors. We are used to special interest tax loopholes and tax credits, which provide competitive and financial benefits to those with friends in Congress. And we are familiar with regulatory burden increases, which often prevent smaller companies from competing against larger ones because of the cost of compliance.
However, this is a different kind of special interest giveaway altogether. This is a situation in which a company is given the ability to ignore court orders, in what boils down to a deregulation scheme for a particular set of industries.