Washington— Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement after Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) announced she won’t run for reelection:

“When I joined the Senate, Barbara Mikulski was one of the first to greet me and offer insight on how things work. Now, more than 20 years later, I still treasure her advice and admire her ability to get things done. It has been a real pleasure to work with someone so passionate and dedicated to her work. The Senate will lose a real lion when she departs.

“Barbara was a trailblazer. When she came to the Senate in 1987, she was one of only two women. Now, thanks in part to her hard work and stellar example, there are 20 women senators.

“Barbara has been a formidable partner, a mentor to many and a consummate public servant. She’s the type of legislator we need more of. She strives for compromise, and more often than not her no-nonsense approach bridges divides that seemed insurmountable.

“I have worked with Barbara on a number of occasions, and I don’t think there’s anyone in Congress who has been such a vocal advocate for women and families. She has fought tirelessly to advance women’s equality and ensure all children have access to quality education, and more recently she has done a remarkable job as chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee.

“I will miss Barbara as a colleague and as a friend. I wish her all the best.”

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