In order to become a congressional page in the United States, a candidate must be nominated one of his or her state senators. Candidates must be US citizens with social security numbers and 16- or 17-year-old high school students with a grade point average of at least 3.0 who have completed their sophomore curriculum. Candidates must pass a general health examination conducted a licensed physician and show proof of immunization. Finally, all members of Congress must be covered health insurance. In the United States, pages are only used in the Senate.
A high school student who meets the basic requirements for becoming a congressional page should first contact one of his or her state senators. In addition to the basic requirements for selection, each senator has his or her own set of criteria for nomination. The majority of them accept applications via the internet. A typical application packet includes a resume, transcript, and essay, as well as information about the applicant’s interests and reasons for wanting to be a congressional page.
A strong grade point average, good references, and an interest in government and policy can all help an applicant stand out. Showing an interest in the issues that are important to the senator who is considering your application can also help you get noticed. A candidate should have a clear understanding of why he or she wants to be a congressional page and what benefits they hope to gain.
For those interested in becoming a congressional page, good health is essential because some duties require stamina and long days. Senators’ pages deliver messages on the floor, packages throughout the Capitol, and take messages for senators. They also communicate with senators via phone and email, prepare the Senate chamber for sessions, and carry bills and amendments through the chamber. A typical day starts before 10 a.m. and can last until the Senate adjourns, which can be as late as one or two a.m.
Applicants can choose from four different program terms. The academic year is split into two five-month semesters, with two three- to four-week summer sessions in June and July. Pages either live in the Daniel Webster Senate Page Residence on Capitol Hill or with relatives in the neighborhood. The majority of meals are provided, as is Capitol Police security. Pages who serve during the academic year attend daily classes at the Senate Page School in Webster Hall prior to the Senate’s convening, in addition to their duties.
Senate pages are paid a stipend from which taxes, as well as a fee for the meal plan and residence hall, are deducted. The uniform for all pages is a dark blue suit with a white shirt and dark shoes and socks. A red and blue striped tie is also worn male pages. It is necessary for pages to maintain a neat appearance.
The Senate page program in the United States is limited to serving in the Senate. Because there are fewer page positions than senators, not every senator is eligible to nominate and sponsor a page. The party and rank of a senator can influence whether or not he or she can nominate a page. As a result, there is a lot of competition for a spot. The House of Representatives page program was abolished in August 2011 as a result of technological advancements, which rendered pages obsolete and rendered the high cost of housing and education for participants unnecessary. Other countries, such as Canada, have page programs as well.