Senate Page Program

Your interest in the Senate Page Program is a positive indication to us that you are a concerned American citizen with a willingness to learn and contribute significantly to the Legislative branch of our government. Perhaps such an association will crystallize a future for you in service to the United States and its citizenry, as it has in Pages of past generations.

The Page Program exposes students to many interesting and challenging experiences. Living away from home and attending school with students from all 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."

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 cannot be waived.

Page eligibility is limited to juniors in high school. Certification of immunization and general health assessment completed by a licensed physician are required. 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.

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 $12,597. For the purpose of going on the payroll, Pages must be citizens of the United States or subject to agreements of the Department of State, and must have a social security number.

A Page's day begins at 6:15 a.m. when he or she reports to the United States Senate Page School. The Senate Page School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Due to varying lengths of service that Pages may be appointed for, the Page School seeks to provide as smooth a transition as possible between Washington and the home school. In addition to providing the necessary requisites for a junior year course of study including mathematics, English, social studies, and science, the Page School offers a Washington Seminar Program to assure each pupil's participation and exposure to the unique educational and cultural opportunities which exist in the nation's Capital. Foreign language study may be accomplished with the assistance of the Page's home school. Tutors will be provided, but all work must be completed outside the scheduled school and work hours.

The school year consists of two semesters. The first semester runs from early September through January; the second from February through mid-June. Pages must submit a home school transcript and a certification of immunization to qualify for attendance at the school.

The Senate Page School is located in the lower level of Webster Hall, the Senate Page Residence Building. Any questions specific to the Page School should be directed to Mrs. Kathryn Weeden, Principal, United States Senate Page School, United States Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510-7248, tel. (202) 224-3926.

Following classes at the Page School, which extend until 9:30 a.m. or one hour prior to the commencement of the Senate, Pages report for duty to their respective Cloakrooms and work until 5 p.m. or until the Senate adjourns for the day, whichever is later. When sessions extend past 10:00 p.m., the next day's classes are postponed.

Pages are required to live in the Daniel Webster Page Residence Hall during the school year. The cost of living in Webster Hall is $450 per month and includes breakfast and dinner Monday through Friday. Payment is made through payroll deduction. An initial security deposit of $250 is required when checking in and is refundable when it has been determined that no damage has occurred to the residence.

Webster Hall is located at 300 4th Street in Northeast D.C., two blocks from the Hart Senate Office Building. Staff includes four proctors, who reside within the building, and two day staff members. Two floors encompass the 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 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.

Dress requirements for men are navy blue suit, white long-sleeved shirt, dark blue tie, black shoes and socks. Women wear navy blue pant suits, white long-sleeved blouses, dark blue tie, black shoes and dark nylons or dark socks. Pages are expected to fulfill their own dress requirements.

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 of the Senators are able to appoint Pages. Due to the limited number of positions available and the large pool of interested students, competition to become a Page is keen and, unfortunately, not all of those students who desire a position can be accommodated.

Senators may also appoint students for the Summer Page Program. This program typically consists of two four-week sessions depending upon the legislative calendar. All information for the summer program is identical to the school year program with the following exceptions: Summer Page dress requirements for men are navy blue pants, white long-sleeve shirt, dark blue tie, and black shoes and socks. Women are required to wear navy blue slacks, white long-sleeve blouses, dark blue tie, black shoes and dark socks or nylons. Since there is limited space in the Residence Hall, 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.

If you are interested in applying for a Senate Page position and you meet the junior status requirement, you should write a letter to your Senators requesting their consideration of your interest in becoming a Page and asking what steps you should take in order to apply.

When and if you are notified of your selection to serve as a Page, you will be furnished with further information and requirements of the program.

Applying

All applicants are requested to submit a cover letter, a listing of extracurricular activities, and three letters of recommendation.  All materials should be placed in one packet and mailed between November 1 and March 15 for the following summer sessions.  Please mail your packet to the following address:

Office of the Honorable Charles E. Schumer
313 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
ATTN:  Page Program Coordinator