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.

Senator Schumer has been fortunate enough to appoint students for the Summer Page Program for the past few years. This program typically consists of two four-week sessions depending upon the legislative calendar.

Applying

All applicants are requested to submit a cover letter, a listing of extracurricular activities, and three letters of recommendation. Ordinarily, all materials should be placed in one packet and mailed between November 1 and March 15 for the following summer sessions. However, until timely mail delivery resumes to the United States Senate, please fax your materials to (202) 228-4562 no later than March 15.

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.

General Information on the Summer Program

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.

Summer page eligibility is limited to students who will be entering their senior year of 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.

Since there is limited space in the Daniel Webster Page Residence 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.

If a summer page elects to live in the Daniel Webster Page Residence Hall, 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.

Senate 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. 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.