If Maryland's resident pit bull, Sen. Barbara Mikulski, has
demonstrated anything in her several decades in Congress and as
dean of Senate women, it's a willingness to stand up for the
less powerful in society, and she was at it again this week
advocating for the Paycheck Fairness Act and the rights of women
to secure equal pay for equal work.  To the surprise of no one,
Senate Republicans were unmoved by the cause and blocked the
much-needed legislation from floor debate as it fell eight votes
short of the 60 required. Even discussing equal pay on the
Senate floor was apparently too much for the faint-hearted GOP.
We would not pretend there was not a distinct political gain to
be had by Democrats in this. Even this setback highlights the
differences between the two parties on a core belief. As Senator
Mikulski noted after the bill's failure, quoting a letter from
Abigail Adams to John Adams, who was helping draft a
constitution for a fledgling nation: "Do not forget the ladies
or they will foment a revoluti