Thank you for your interest in the Senate Page Program. Senate Pages
play an important role in the day-to-day operations of the Senate,
while giving students the opportunity to witness firsthand the political
process of the Senate and our nation’s “history in the
making.”
Senate Pages must be sponsored by a Senator. Since there
are only thirty page positions which serve the Senate’s one hundred
Members, and because of the number of interested students, the selection
process is
competitive and slots are not always available.
In general, Page positions are limited to US citizens who are juniors
in high school with a minimum GPA of 3.0. There are four Page sessions
available – a fall session, spring session and two summer sessions.
The
information below, from the Senate Sergeant at Arms provides more
detailed information and requirements about the Page program. If
you are interested in serving as a Page, please submit your
application and supporting materials to my office.
The following information is from the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms:
Living away from home and attending school with students from across
the country allows Pages to experience a myriad of new ideas, perspectives,
and issues. Pages meet some of the Nation's most prominent leaders
and witness firsthand the political debates of the United States Senate,
often referred to as the "greatest deliberative body in the world."
Page duties consist primarily of delivery of correspondence and legislative
material within the Congressional Complex. Other duties include taking
messages for Members, calling them to the phone, preparing the Chamber
for Senate sessions, and carrying bills and amendments to the desk. A
rotation system is practiced so that every Page has an opportunity to
experience all areas of service. Pages are paid on the basis of an annual
salary of $16,240.
There are four established page sessions. The academic year consists
of two semesters which run from early September through mid-January and
from mid-January through mid-June. The summer program consists of two
sessions which are three or four weeks duration depending on the legislative
calendar.
Following classes at the Page School, which extend until 9:45 a.m. or
one hour prior to the commencement of the Senate, Pages report for duty
to their respective cloakrooms and work until 4:00 p.m. or until the
Senate adjourns for the day, whichever is later.
Page Sponsorship
Senate Pages must be sponsored by a Senator. There
are thirty Page positions in the United States Senate which serve its
one hundred
Members; therefore,
not all Senators are able to appoint Pages. Due to the limited
number of positions and the volume of interested students, competition
is
keen and, unfortunately, not all students who seek a position
can be accommodated.
Senators may also appoint students for the Summer Page Program. Since
there is limited space in Webster Hall, summer Pages may live
with their parents or a relative in the area; alternate housing arrangements
must
be approved in writing by the parents or legal guardian.
Requirements for Selection
- Senate Pages must be sponsored by a Senator.
- Pages must be citizens
of the United States or subject to agreements of the Department of
State, and must have a social security
number.
- Page eligibility is limited to juniors in high school who will
be 16 or 17 on or before the date of appointment.
- Pages must verify
a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a home school transcript
and a certification of immunization to qualify
for attendance at the school.
- A general health assessment completed by a licensed
physician is required, in addition to certification of immunization.
Pages play
an important role in the day-to-day operation of the Senate. Their schedule
can be long and tedious, and requires tremendous endurance; good health
and stamina are requirements which can not be waived.
- Pages are also required
to be covered by health insurance; if not covered, they will be
required to enroll in the Federal Employees
Health Benefits Program.
Daniel Webster Senate Page Residence
Pages are required to live in
the Daniel Webster Senate Page Residence during the school year. The
cost of living in the residence hall is $450
per month and includes breakfast and dinner each day. Payment is made
through payroll deduction. An initial security deposit of $250 is required
before checking in and is refundable when it has been determined that
no damage has occurred to the residence.
Webster Hall is located two blocks from the Hart Senate Office Building.
Staff includes a Program Director, Administrative Aide and four proctors.
Proctors reside in Webster Hall. Two floors encompass living quarters,
one of which is designated for young women, the other for young men.
Each floor has a community day room for social activity.
Pages must share rooms with each other. Each room is designed for four
to six occupants and is furnished with twin size bunk or loft style beds,
desks, chairs, and bureaus. Each room has closet space, a private bath
and a telephone, which is shared by the Pages. Laundry and kitchen facilities
are provided within the building.
United States Capitol Police maintain a 24-hour security desk and a
provision that requires all individuals to present identification and
all visitors and guests to sign in. Capitol Police patrol the area by
car and foot regularly throughout the day and night. Webster Hall is
monitored by a security alarm system and all emergency and safety measures
required by the District of Columbia for community life structures are
present and enforced.
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