To become a US congressional page, a high school student must be nominated by a state senator, be a US citizen with a Social Security number, have a GPA of at least 3.0, pass a health assessment, and have health insurance. Pages serve only in the Senate and attend daily classes at the Senate Page School. The program is limited, and competition is fierce.
The main requirement for a candidate to become a congressional page in the United States is the nomination of one of its state senators. Applicants must be United States citizens with Social Security numbers and high school students age 16 or 17 who completed their sophomore curriculum with a grade point average of at least 3.0. Candidates must pass a general health assessment administered by a licensed physician and present a certification of immunization. Finally, all congress pages must have health insurance. Pages serve only in the Senate in the United States.
A high school student who wants to become a congressional page and meets the basic requirements must first contact one of their state senators. Each senator has his own particular nomination criteria, in addition to the basic requirements for selection. Most accept applications online. A typical application package requires information about the candidate’s interests and reasons for wanting to become a congress page, plus a resume, transcript, and essay.
Having good references, a strong grade point average, and an interest in government and politics can help a candidate stand out. Showing an interest in issues that are important to the senator considering the request may also get his attention. A candidate must have a strong sense of why he or she wants to become a congressional page and what he or she hopes the benefit will be.
Being in good health is important for anyone who wants to become a congress page, because some duties may require stamina and long days. Pages deliver messages to senators on the floor, pack up the congressional compound, and carry messages to senators. They also maintain contact with senators by phone and e-mail, prepare the senate chamber for sessions, and carry out bills and amendments. A typical day starts before 10 am and can last until the Senate closes, sometimes as late as one or two in the morning.
Applicants can apply to one of the four-page program terms. The academic year is divided into two five-month semesters and the summer offers two short three- to four-week sessions in June and July. Pages live on Daniel Webster’s Senate page, on Capitol Hill, or with close relatives. Most meals and Capitol Police security are provided. In addition to their duties, pages serving during the academic year attend daily classes at the Senate Page School in Webster Hall prior to the Senate convening.
Senate Pages receive a fee from which a fee for the meal plan and hall of residence, in addition to taxes, is deducted. All pages wear a distinctive uniform: a dark blue suit with a white shirt and dark shoes and socks. The men’s pages also wear a red and blue striped tie. Pages are necessary to maintain a clean appearance.
The US congressional page program is limited to serving in the Senate. There are fewer page positions available than senators; therefore, not every senator is able to nominate and sponsor a page. A senator’s party and ranking can determine whether he or she can nominate a Page. So competition for a spot is fierce. The Chamber of Deputies pages program was terminated in August 2011 due to advances in technology, making the pages redundant and the high cost of hosting and educating participants unnecessary. Other countries. including Canada, also offer page programs.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
