Senators gather for birthday selfie with former Maryland colleagues
Senators Cory Booker, Chris Van Hollen, and Angela Alsobrooks joined former senators Barbara Mikulski and Benjamin Cardin for a photo in the Capitol. The group celebrated Mikulski's 90th birthday, which occurred in July. The image was captured by a CQ Roll Call photographer.
Current and former Democratic senators gathered in the Capitol for a birthday celebration and group selfie. The photo, taken by a CQ Roll Call photographer, shows New Jersey's Cory Booker alongside Maryland's Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, with former Maryland senators Barbara Mikulski and Benjamin Cardin.
Mikulski's 90th birthday fell on July 20, and the group marked the occasion together on Wednesday. The image was published September 23, 2026, appearing in the Capitol Lens feature alongside other recent political stories.
This lighthearted moment may serve as a reminder of the personal relationships that underpin legislative work, even amid partisan tensions. For readers, it humanizes elected officials and highlights continuity between generations of lawmakers. Such images could reinforce public perception of government as a collegial institution, though they may also be seen as a distraction from pressing policy debates. The celebration of a former senator's milestone may resonate particularly with older constituents who followed Mikulski's career.