Page of the United States Senate

Origins and early service

The earliest documented young Senate employee was 12-year-old James Tims, who appeared on the Senate payroll in 1824. Tims was a relative of Senate employees and was paid for attending to duties in the Senate chamber. In 1829, he was listed as a messenger earning $1.50 per day.

The traditional beginning of the Senate Page Program is associated with Daniel Webster, who is credited with sponsoring nine-year-old Grafton Hanson in 1829. Senate employment records identify Hanson as a messenger in 1830. In 1837, Senate records began using the title Page to describe young messengers employed in the chamber.

During the 19th century, Pages were generally younger than those appointed in the modern program. Some were orphans or children of widowed mothers whose earnings helped support their families. Early Pages delivered correspondence, supplied senators' desks with paper, ink, and quill pens, prepared the chamber for legislative sessions, and attended to other tasks. These included maintaining lamps and fires, cleaning spittoons, and replenishing snuff boxes. Before the Senate installed systems for notifying members about floor proceedings, Pages also informed senators when votes were approaching.

The Senate employed several categories of young messengers, including chamber Pages, mail boys, telegraph Pages, telephone Pages, and riding Pages. Riding Pages delivered messages and packages to executive departments and other federal offices throughout Washington, initially traveling by horseback. Their responsibilities changed as transportation and communications technology developed.

In 1854, the Senate established a minimum appointment age of 13 and prohibited Pages from serving beyond age 17. The age limits were subsequently revised. Since reforms implemented in 1983, semester Pages have been required to be high-school juniors, and Page appointments have been limited to one session.

Racial and gender integration

For much of its history, the Senate Page workforce was predominantly male and white. In 1965, Senator Jacob Javits of New York sponsored Lawrence Bradford Jr., who was then described as the first African American Senate Page. Subsequent historical research identified Andrew Foote Slade, who served as a riding Page between 1869 and 1881, as the earliest known African American Senate Page. In 1966, Javits sponsored John Lopez, a Page of Puerto Rican descent.

Although no Senate rule explicitly prohibited girls from serving as Pages, the modern chamber Page positions were reserved for boys until 1971. During the 1960s, female applicants and their sponsoring senators challenged this practice. After hearings and debate, the Senate approved a resolution on May 13, 1971, prohibiting sex discrimination in certain patronage appointments, including Page positions.

Paulette Desell, Ellen McConnell, and Julie Price were subsequently appointed to the chamber Page program. Their appointments represented an important change in the admission of girls to Senate employment and were widely reported at the time.

Research published by the Senate Historical Office in December 2024 established that women had held other Page positions considerably earlier. Emma Madeen served as a Senate riding Page in 1907, and seven additional women served in riding Page positions between 1907 and 1926. The distinction between chamber Pages and riding Pages explains why the 1971 appointments were long described as the first appointments of female Senate Pages.

Development of page education

Formal education for Congressional Pages developed during the early 20th century. In 1925, a school for Pages was established in the basement of the Capitol after changes in compulsory education requirements raised questions about the schooling of working children. Pages attended classes during the early morning to accommodate the Senate's legislative schedule.

The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 provided for tuition-free education within the District of Columbia public school system. In 1949, the Page school moved to the Library of Congress. Separate educational programs for House and Senate Pages were established in 1983.

Housing arrangements also changed over time. Before 1983, Pages generally arranged accommodations independently or stayed with relatives, friends, or local boarding houses. Reforms introduced supervised housing for Pages, and in 1995 the Senate Page School moved into the newly established Daniel Webster Senate Page Residence. The move brought the program's residential and educational facilities into the same building.

COVID-19 pandemic

The Senate Page Program was suspended on March 13, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pages were absent from the Senate during subsequent legislative proceedings, including the second impeachment trial of President Donald Trump in early 2021.

The program resumed in-person service in September 2021. The returning pages were subject to pandemic-related health precautions, including vaccination and testing requirements, according to contemporary reporting by Roll Call.

Appointment process

Senate Pages are selected and sponsored by individual senators. Because only 30 positions are available for the Senate's 100 members, not every senator can appoint a Page during each session. Applicants generally contact their senators' offices directly. Selection procedures vary by office and may involve transcripts, recommendation letters, written statements, résumés, and interviews.

The program accepts students who meet its academic, age, and employment eligibility requirements. Semester applicants must have high-school junior standing and must be 16 or 17 years old on their appointment date. Summer applicants may be rising high-school juniors or rising seniors. Students who have already turned 18 cannot be appointed.

Applicants must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0 and must meet federal employment eligibility requirements. They must also provide health and immunization documentation and maintain health insurance coverage. Students without qualifying insurance may be required to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

Sessions

The Senate Page Program operates four regular sessions:

• Fall semester: Generally runs from early September through mid-January.
• Spring semester: Generally runs from mid-January through early or mid-June.
• Summer Session I: Usually begins in June and lasts approximately three or four weeks.
• Summer Session II: Usually begins in July and lasts approximately three or four weeks.

The precise dates are determined by the academic and legislative calendars. Pages are expected to serve for the entire duration of their appointed session.

Legislative responsibilities

Pages assist with the daily functioning of the Senate. Their principal duties include delivering correspondence and legislative materials throughout the Capitol complex, carrying bills and amendments to the presiding officer's desk, preparing the Senate chamber for sessions, and taking messages for senators.

During legislative proceedings, Pages provide assistance with roll-call votes, debates, and other activities on the Senate floor. They may deliver lecterns or water to senators preparing to speak and perform other support tasks under the direction of cloakroom staff.

Following presidential elections, Senate Pages also participate in transporting the boxes containing states' electoral certificates from the Senate to the House of Representatives for the congressional counting of electoral votes.

Pages are employed by the Senate Sergeant at Arms rather than directly by their sponsoring senators. They are assigned to the cloakroom of the sponsoring senator's political party and serve all senators of that party. Their work assignments and supervision are coordinated by cloakroom staff.

Work schedule

Pages' working hours depend on the Senate's legislative schedule, including its convening and adjournment times. During the academic year, Pages normally report to work approximately one hour before the Senate convenes, or by 10:00 a.m., whichever is earlier.

On a typical workday, Pages alternate between periods of service in the chamber and breaks or study periods in the Senate Lobby. The normal rotation provides time to complete school assignments between legislative responsibilities. Workloads can increase during extended debates, voting periods, and other significant proceedings.

When the Senate remains in session beyond the afternoon, Pages are generally divided into early and late shifts. The early shift is ordinarily excused at 6:00 p.m., while the late shift remains until the Senate adjourns. Pages may consequently work late into the evening when Senate business continues beyond regular hours.

During Senate recess days, Pages generally have a shorter work schedule and may participate in additional educational or recreational activities. Pages can also be required to work on weekends, holidays, or during unusual legislative sessions.

Compensation

Senate Pages are paid employees, receiving compensation prorated from an annual salary rate for the period of their appointment. Their residence expenses are deducted from their earnings during residential sessions.

As of October 2026, the Senate Page Program's official website listed an annualized salary of $38,547 and a residence charge of $1,380 per month. The residence charge covered housing, two daily meals, and organized activities and field trips.

Uniform and appearance

Pages are required to wear a prescribed uniform while working and attending school. The modern uniform consists of a navy-blue suit, white dress shirt, and identification insignia. Male Pages also wear a navy-blue tie.

The program provides the principal uniform components, while Pages supply their own shoes and socks. The dress code requires plain black footwear, conservative personal grooming, and a neat appearance appropriate to the Senate workplace. The uniform includes a Page name badge and insignia pin.

Curriculum

The Page School's curriculum is intended to complement the academic programs of students' home high schools. Semester Pages generally enroll in courses covering English, mathematics, science, and social studies. Course offerings include English composition, American literature, algebra, precalculus, calculus, chemistry, physics, United States history, and United States government.

Courses are designated as honors-level classes on Page School report cards and transcripts. Because students arrive with different academic backgrounds, their schedules are arranged according to their previous coursework and the requirements of their home schools. The school does not independently award world-language credit, although it may help arrange tutoring for students studying a language through their home schools.

The school's faculty provides academic support before and after classes. Pages are expected to balance their coursework with their employment obligations and may use designated study periods during the Senate workday to complete assignments.

Daily academic schedule

Semester Pages typically begin their day at approximately 5:00 a.m. Classes ordinarily begin at 6:15 a.m. and run until the time Pages must report to the Capitol. The length of each class varies according to the Senate's schedule.

When the Senate convenes at 11:00 a.m. or later, the school commonly uses a schedule ending at approximately 9:45 a.m. Earlier Senate convening times may require shorter classes or adjustments to the school day. Pages generally leave school about one hour and fifteen minutes before the Senate convenes.

Educational activities

The Senate Page School organizes field trips to historical, cultural, and educational sites in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding region. Destinations have included Mount Vernon, Gettysburg National Military Park, Jamestown, Virginia, and Philadelphia. These trips are considered part of the academic program, and attendance is ordinarily required.

The school also provides access to computers and academic resources, including its library, to support students' coursework. Pages receive Senate computer accounts and are required to comply with applicable computer-use policies.

History and facilities

During the academic year, Senate Pages reside at the Daniel Webster Senate Page Residence, commonly called Webster Hall, at 300 Fourth Street NE in Washington, D.C. The facility is located on Capitol Hill near the Senate office buildings.

The building formerly housed the Lee Funeral Home and was renovated to provide supervised housing and classroom facilities for the Senate Page Program. Webster Hall opened as the Page residence in June 1995.

The residence contains two residential floors, with separate accommodations for male and female Pages. Students live in shared furnished rooms accommodating approximately four to six occupants. Common facilities include dayrooms, a kitchen, laundry facilities, and the Senate Page School on the lower level.

Residential supervision is provided by program administrators and proctors, who assist Pages with daily activities, enforce program rules, and provide support outside school and work. The United States Capitol Police maintains a security presence at the residence.

Daily life

Pages follow a structured residential schedule designed to accommodate early school hours and Senate employment. They are responsible for maintaining their rooms, completing scheduled chores, attending required meetings, and complying with residence regulations.

The residential program establishes curfews, restrictions on access to residential areas, and procedures for leaving Webster Hall during free time. According to the Spring 2026 program handbook, the normal curfew was 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. School-night lights-out was scheduled for 10:15 p.m., subject to changes associated with Senate duties or other approved circumstances.

During approved free time, Pages may leave the residence in groups to visit local shops, restaurants, museums, recreational facilities, or other destinations. Pages must follow program check-out procedures and return by their assigned curfew. The program also arranges weekend activities and group excursions.

Pages are provided meals through a combination of residence facilities, Senate cafeteria arrangements, and organized dining. During the school week, Pages commonly eat breakfast at Webster Hall and lunch in a Senate office building cafeteria.

The program maintains a system of conduct rules and disciplinary consequences. Violations may result in demerits, restrictions on privileges, additional chores, probation, suspension, or dismissal. The Spring 2026 handbook describes graduated room restrictions for accumulating demerits and opportunities to reduce demerits through assigned tasks.

Technology and communication

The Senate Page Program imposes restrictions on personal electronic devices, communications, and media activities. Pages do not have access to their personal cellular phones during residential sessions, except for approved overnight travel or vacations.

The Senate prohibits Pages from possessing cellular-capable tablets, smartwatches, mobile hotspots, and similar personal devices while participating in the residential program. Wi-Fi-only laptops and tablets are permitted, but internet access on personal devices is restricted on Senate property. School computers are available for educational purposes on a limited basis.

Pages may communicate with family and friends through residence telephones. Program-issued safety phones are also available during authorized outings. These arrangements are intended to permit communication while maintaining the program's supervision and security requirements.

The program restricts photography and prohibits video recording in designated Senate and residential areas. Pages are also subject to social media and media-contact policies, including restrictions on posting about their employment or representing the Senate publicly during their appointments.

Health and student support

Medical support for Pages is available through the Office of the Attending Physician of the United States Congress and associated Capitol medical facilities. The program provides procedures for evaluating illnesses, responding to emergencies, and managing approved medications.

Pages may also obtain emotional and behavioral support through residential staff and the Senate Employee Assistance Program, which provides confidential counseling and assistance with stress management and other concerns.

Summer Pages

Senate Pages appointed during the summer do not attend the Senate Page School. Summer participants generally perform the same legislative support responsibilities as semester Pages, but follow schedules adapted to the summer Senate calendar.

Some summer Pages live in Webster Hall, while others may commute from approved accommodations with a parent or relative in the Washington metropolitan area. Commuter arrangements require approval from the Senate Page Program.

Commuter pages generally report for duty at 9:00 a.m. and depart at 6:00 p.m. They may participate in organized field trips and activities with residential pages.