Barbara Mikulski

“I thought in this country, the best social program was a job. Yet minimum wage jobs aren't paying enough to keep families out of poverty.”

“Family responsibility, yes, and always. Family bankruptcy due to the cruel rules of government, no.”

“The American system of democracy is founded on the concept that every citizen has the right to vote, to know that their vote is counted, and that the vote is counted accurately.”

“America must continue diplomacy, even as we continue the war, to expand the coalition of the willing to share the burden of war and to share the responsibility and the economic cost of rebuilding Iraq.”

“The women of the Senate are like the U.S. Olympic team: we come in different sizes, but we sure are united in our determination to do the best for our country!”

“When we stand up for America, we stand up for what America stands for, which is a safety net for our seniors and really helping our families be able to help themselves.”

“We, the women of the Senate, with President Obama by our side, will keep fighting - our shoulders square, our lipstick on - because you deserve equal pay for your hard work.”

“I'm so proud of Maryland's firefighters, risking their lives to protect others, but we need to protect our protectors with the best equipment training and resources.”

“The 77 cents that women make for every dollar men earn makes a real difference to our families - families stretching to make every dollar count.”

“America is not a melting pot. It is a sizzling cauldron.”

“You can't get more for less. You get what you pay for.”

“The world must know that America holds to the highest standards of military conduct and human rights protections. Anything less is unacceptable.”

“Each one of us can make a difference. Together we make change.”

“I will fight in the United States Senate this year to fund a servicing mission to Hubble by 2008, a mission that would potentially increase Hubble's power and efficiency by a factor of 10 and allow us to look back almost to the beginning of the universe.”

“Every vote counts and every vote must be counted.”

“A pregnant woman facing the most dire circumstances must be able to count on her doctor to do what is medically necessary to protect her from serious physical harm.”

“I was a social worker for Baltimore families. Now I'm a social worker building opportunities for families throughout America.”

“College is part of the American dream. It shouldn't be part of a financial nightmare for families.”

“I don't want women and their families to be left out and left behind. We can fight for them. We will fight for them. They deserve better and I want to give them better.”

“Community colleges are one of America's great social inventions a gateway to the future for first time students looking for an affordable college education, and for mid-career students looking to get ahead in the workplace.”