Pages are young people who are hired to serve as support staff for the U.S. House of Representatives.  They are students in the junior year of high school, who come to Washington, D.C. to live, work and study as Pages.  This Program, which includes the House Page Residence Hall, the House Page School and work responsibilities within the House of Representatives, has been active for more than 200 years.

There are regularly 72 Page positions in the House of Representatives, with the possibility of over 400 Members of Congress wishing to recommend young people.  This creates considerable competition for Page positions.  All students must be sponsored by a Member of Congress to become a Page.  As you can see, competition for these positions is very fierce.

Page eligibility is limited to juniors in high school only.  All applicants must be at least sixteen years old on the date they begin their Page term.  Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for House Page School.

Pages are employees of the House and the work they perform is important.  The work aspect is one of the most unique components of the Page experience.  Pages work as a team and not in an individuals Member's offices.  Page duties consist primarily of delivery of correspondence, legislative material and small packages within the Congressional complex.  A few Pages are assigned to answering phones in the Member's Cloakrooms, taking messages for Members, calling them to the phone if they are in the House Chamber and preparing the House Floor for sessions.  Still others monitor a telephone bank of incoming requests for Page service.  A rotation system is practiced so that every Page has an opportunity to experience the various areas of service.

The work experience is supervised by full-time adult employees who manage the Page work responsibilities on a daily basis.  Pages sponsored by the Majority report to the Majority Chief Page, and those sponsored by the Minority report to the Minority Chief Page.  Pages report to work after classes and work until 5 PM or when the House adjourns for the day, whichever is later.

Academic year Pages are asked to serve at least one full semester and may be asked to serve for two semesters.  Academic semesters are considered to be Fall and Spring and require attendance at the U.S. House of Representatives Page School.  The Summer Program starts approximately the second week of June each year with termination determined by the legislative work schedule.  This schedule also determines whether or not there will be one or two terms of the Summer Page Program.

Appointment to the Page Program is an honor and may be terminated at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice.

A Page in the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to maintain a neat appearance and conservative hairstyle at all times and adhere to the Page Dress Code while working in the Capitol Complex during business hours.  Dress requirements for work and school include for young men, navy blue wool or acrylic jackets, dark grey slacks, a uniform tie, a white long-sleeved, permanent press dress shirt, solid black shoes and socks.  Young women wear navy blue wool or acrylic jackets, white long-sleeved, permanent press oxford type blouses, a uniform tie, dark grey slacks or knee length, non-slit dark grey skirts, solid black shoes and nylons.  Navy blue or white sweaters may be worn in the winter months under the jacket.  Usually jackets are not worn from May through Labor Day, except when working on the House Floor.  Shoes may be either a comfortable dress style or a non-canvas low cut athletic type.  Shoes must be solid black.

The uniform tie will be provided by the Clerk's Office after arrival in Washington.  Required clothing may be purchased at a department store or specialty store in your area.  Pages will be charged for any uniform tie that they request over the one allotted.

The Page Residence Hall is staffed by a Director and five assistants, all of whom are adults and reside within the quarters.  The Residence Hall is located on two floors of the O'Neill House Office Building, two blocks from the Capitol and the Library of Congress, where the school is located.  Each room provides ample space for two or three occupants.  Each room has a private bath shared by the occupants and a telephone which is also shared.

Pages are responsible for providing their own twin sheets, pillow cases, towels, pillows, hangers, and any small accessories such as desk lamps and photographs which may make life more comfortable and pleasant.

One floor is designated for young men and the other for young women.  Each floor has a community room and a study hall.  Three staff people reside on each floor.  Residents are responsible for maintenance of their personal quarters and common areas are maintained by the House custodial personnel.  Free laundry facilities are provided within this building.

Security measures include foot patrols of the building by U.S. Capitol Police, a lobby desk manned by U.S. Capitol Police 24 hours a day, and requiring residents and visitors to sign in after 6 PM.  There are strategically placed alarm phones, fireproof stairwells, a ceiling sprinkler system, emergency fire fighting tanks, fire escapes and other measures required by the District of Columbia in community life structures.