Maria E. Cantwell

Democrat junior Senator of Washington

  • Senator

    Washington

    January 3, 2019 - January 3, 2025

202-224-3441

@SenatorCantwell

cantwell.senate.gov

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13

Congresses Served

1

House Terms

4

Senate Terms

January 1, 1958 (66 years old)

Birthday

  • Has been serving as the junior United States senator since 2001
  • Previously served in the Washington House of Representatives and the United States House of Representatives
  • Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, and later moved to Seattle
  • Worked on political campaigns before entering politics herself
  • Served one term in Congress before losing her seat, then worked in the private sector before running for the Senate
  • Defeated an incumbent Republican senator in a closely contested election
  • Has been reelected to the Senate multiple times
  • Became the most senior junior senator in 2017
  • Second female senator from Washington
  • Involved in various legislative efforts, including growth management, nursing home regulation, campaign finance reform, and privacy issues
  • Opposed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and supported environmental protection measures
  • Advocated for health care reform and opposed Social Security privatization
  • Voted against confirming Supreme Court nominees John Roberts and Samuel Alito
  • Supported making Plan B contraceptives available to girls 16 and under
  • Criticized the Italian justice system following the wrongful conviction of Amanda Knox
  • Voted in favor of the use of military force against Iraq in 2002
  • Co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act
  • Has served on several Senate committees, including Commerce, Science and Transportation; Energy and Natural Resources; Finance; Indian Affairs; and Small Business and Entrepreneurship
  • Has been involved in efforts to protect athletes from abuse in Olympic sports
  • Supported fellow Democratic candidates and endorsed Hillary Clinton for President