Feds Will Miss a Pay Raise Champion

Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., announced on Monday she will not be seeking re-election when her term expires next year.

The lawmaker was known for many things, including being the longest-serving woman in the history of Congress, but to federal employees Mikulski was best known as a champion. Her position as the top Democrat on the influential Senate Appropriations committee often gave voice at the negotiating table to issues important to federal employees.

With the power of the purse at her disposal, Mikulski fought to end the federal employee pay freeze in 2014. She frequently cited the critical role of the civil service when arguing to boost funding at agencies or resolve impasses during the appropriations process.

Names floated to succeed Mikulski include many Maryland Democrats in the House with a record of supporting federal workforce issues, such as Chris Van Hollen, Donna Edwards and Elijah Cummings. Her most likely potential successor on the Appropriations Committee, however, appears to be Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who represents far fewer federal workers than the Maryland senator and included an increase in new feds’ contributions to their retirement pensions as part of her signature budget deal in 2013.

Needless to say, federal employees are certain to miss Senator Barb.