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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How can I contact Senator Hutchison? Senator Hutchison can be contacted by letter, telephone, e-mail, or fax at her Washington office or one of her five Texas regional offices. Information on where to write or call is available on the "How to Contact Me" page of this website. How did you become involved in politics? Senator Hutchison first became involved in politics while covering the Texas Legislature as a political reporter for KPRC-TV in Houston. She later became Press Secretary to fellow Texan Anne Armstrong, Vice Chairman of the Republican National Committee. In 1972, the County Republican Chairman asked her to run for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. In 1990, after spending several years in the private sector, she was elected to the office of Texas State Treasurer. Senator Hutchison was elected to the U.S. Senate on June 5, 1993. Additional information can be found on the Biography page of this website. How many women now serve in the U.S. Senate? Presently there are fourteen women serving in the United States Senate:  Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein of California, Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, Senator Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina, Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray of Washington, and Senator Hutchison of Texas. Senator Hutchison takes great pride in being the first woman to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate. The fourteen women Senators of the 108th Congress. Pictured are: (back row) Mary Landrieu, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Elizabeth Dole, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Barbara Mikulski, Lisa Murkowski, Debbie Stabenow, Maria Cantwell, and Patty Murray; (front row) Olympia Snowe, Blanche Lincoln, Barbara Boxer, Susan Collins, and Dianne Feinstein. -- (1/7/03) Where can I access Congressional bills, floor statements, and voting records for Congress? Acting under the directive of the leadership of the 104th Congress to make Federal legislative information freely available to the Internet public, the Library of Congress introduced the THOMAS website in January, 1995. In its current format, THOMAS provides present and past legislative bill text, the Congressional Record, House and Senate voting records, and committee activities. Thomas's website address is: http://thomas.loc.gov. How do I find out about employment opportunities in Senator Hutchison's office or in the U.S. Congress? Interested candidates are invited to send a cover letter, a current resume, and a list of references to Senator Hutchison's Washington office. For additional employment opportunities in the U.S. Congress, we suggest you contact any of the following employment services: U.S. Senate Placement Office 142 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 202-224-9167 202-228-JOBS (recorded listing) http://www.senate.gov/visiting/common/generic/placement_office.htm Senate Sergeant At Arms Human Resources Department 143 Hart Senate Office Buidling Washington, DC 20510 202-224-2889 Secretary of the Senate Human Resources Department 231-B Hart Senate Building Washington, DC 20510 202-224-8088 The House Resume Referral Service Office of Human Resources 263 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 202-226-6731 (recorded listing) What is the difference between a U.S. Senator and a State Senator? A U.S. Senator represents the entire state from which he or she is elected. Therefore, Senators Hutchison and Cornyn are federal legislators who represent all of Texas in the U.S. Senate. A Texas State Senator represents a specific geographical district of Texas in the Texas State Senate and deals with state issues. You can find out who represents you in the Texas State Senate by visiting the Texas Legislature Online webpage. I have a problem with a federal government agency. Can you help me? Senator Hutchison would be pleased to assist you in resolving any problem you may be experiencing with a federal agency. A detailed description of how Senator Hutchison can help you is available in the "Casework" section of this website. What is the difference between the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives? The United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives are the two bodies of the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government. The U.S. Senate is composed of 100 members, 2 from each State, who are elected to serve for a term of 6 years. Senators were originally chosen by the State legislatures. This procedure was changed in 1913 by the 17th Amendment to the Constitution which mandated that Senators be elected by the people. There are 3 classes of Senators, and a new class is elected every 2 years. A Senator must be at least 30 years old, must have been a citizen of the United States for at least 9 years, and must be a resident of the State from which they are elected. The United States House of Representatives is the other body of the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government and is made up of 435 Representatives. The number representing each State is determined by population, but every State is entitled to at least one Representative. Members are elected by the people for 2-year terms, all terms running for the same period. A Representative must be at least 25 years old, must have been a citizen of the United States for at least 7 years, and must be a resident of the State from which they are elected. When was Senator Hutchison elected to the U.S. Senate? Senator Hutchison first won election to the U.S. Senate on June 5, 1993, in a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Lloyd Bentsen. Senator Hutchison was elected to her first full term in the U.S. Senate on November 8, 1994. Senator Hutchison was re-elected to a second full term by an overwhelming 65 percent on November 7, 2000, earning more than 4 million votes, the highest number any elected official has ever received in Texas. How do I get Washington tour tickets? Washington tour tickets may be available from Senator Hutchison's office. However, due to limited availability and high demand, tickets to some sites cannot be guaranteed. Additional tour information can be found on Senator Hutchison's "Washington Tour Info" page on this website. What legislation has Senator Hutchison sponsored? A detailed list of legislation that Senator Hutchison has sponsored and cosponsored in the 108th Congress is available on the "Legislation" page found on this website. Are there any good books I can read to learn more about Texas? Senator Hutchison's office has compiled a list of books for children, youths, and adults that provide a wealth of knowledge about the rich history of Texas. NOTICE: Any link to a commercial website found on this page is provided only as a courtesy and should not be considered in any way as an endorsement or promotion by Senator Hutchison. In addition, Senator Hutchison is not responsible for any offensive or objectionable content that may be found at any of the sites provided above. Last Updated 7/6/04