Senate Page Program

Program Details

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 have the opportunity to meet some of the nation's most prominent leaders and witness firsthand political debates in 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 Senators, 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 based on 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.

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 include 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. 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 all individuals are required 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.

Page Patronage

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.