Maria Cantwell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maria Cantwell
Official portrait, 2018
United States Senator from Washington
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2001 Serving with Patty Murray
Preceded by	Slade Gorton
Committee positions Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee Incumbent Assumed office January 3, 2025 Preceded by Ted Cruz In office January 3, 2019 – February 3, 2021 Preceded by Bill Nelson Succeeded by Roger Wicker Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025 Preceded by Roger Wicker Succeeded by Ted Cruz Ranking Member of the Senate Energy Committee In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2019 Preceded by Lisa Murkowski Succeeded by Joe Manchin Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee In office February 12, 2014 – January 3, 2015 Preceded by Mary Landrieu Succeeded by David Vitter Chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee In office January 3, 2013 – February 12, 2014 Preceded by Daniel Akaka Succeeded by Jon Tester
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington's 1st district
In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by	John Miller
Succeeded by	Rick White
Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 44th district
In office January 12, 1987 – January 3, 1993
Preceded by	Jeanine Long
Succeeded by	Jeanine Long
Personal details
Born	Maria Ellen Cantwell (1958-10-13) October 13, 1958 (age 66) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Relatives	Paul Cantwell (father)
Education	Miami University (BA)
Signature
Website

Maria Ellen Cantwell (born October 13, 1958) is an American politician. She has been a U.S. Senator for Washington since 2001. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

Before becoming a senator, she served in the Washington House of Representatives from 1987 to 1993. She was also a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1993 to 1995.

Maria Cantwell was born and grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. She went to Miami University and then moved to Seattle. In 1986, she was elected to the state house. After serving one term in the U.S. House, she worked in the private sector for RealNetworks.

In 2000, Cantwell ran for the U.S. Senate. She won against the Republican senator, Slade Gorton, in a very close election. She has been reelected several times, including in 2006, 2012, 2018, and 2024. She is the second woman to serve as a U.S. Senator from Washington.

Early Life and Education

Maria Cantwell was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. She grew up in a neighborhood with many Irish American families. Her father, Paul Cantwell, was also involved in politics. He served as a county commissioner, city councilor, and state legislator. Her mother, Rose, worked as an administrative assistant.

Cantwell went to Emmerich Manual High School. Later, she was recognized in the Indianapolis Public Schools Hall of Fame in 2006. After high school, she attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. There, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in public administration.

After college, Cantwell moved to Seattle, Washington, in 1983. She worked on a political campaign there. She then moved to Mountlake Terrace. In 1986, she led a successful effort to build a new library in that town.

Early Political Career

Serving in the Washington State House

In 1986, Maria Cantwell was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives. She was 28 years old at the time. She won her election with 54% of the votes. She was reelected twice more, in 1988 and 1990.

As a state representative, Cantwell helped create Washington's Growth Management Act of 1990. This law required cities to plan how they would grow. She also worked on rules for nursing homes. She left the state house in 1993 to join the U.S. House of Representatives.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives

In 1992, Cantwell was elected to the United States House of Representatives. She was the first Democrat elected from Washington's first congressional district in 40 years.

However, in 1994, she lost her reelection bid to Republican Rick White. This election was part of a larger change in Congress, sometimes called the "Republican Revolution." Many Democratic representatives, including Cantwell, lost their seats that year.

During her time in the U.S. House, Cantwell was known as a "pro-business Democrat." She supported President Bill Clinton's 1993 budget plan. She also worked to stop a government plan called the "Clipper chip," which would have allowed the government to access encrypted communications. She voted for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

In 1993, Cantwell made history by becoming one of the first three women to play in the annual Congressional Baseball Game.

Committee Work in the House

While in the U.S. House, Maria Cantwell served on several important committees:

• Public Works Committee
• Foreign Affairs Committee
• Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee

Working in the Private Sector

After losing her House seat in 1994, Cantwell decided to take a break from politics. She took a job as vice president of marketing for RealNetworks, a technology company.

One of her notable achievements there was helping to broadcast a Major League Baseball game live over the internet in 1995. This was a big step for online streaming.

RealNetworks later faced some concerns about user privacy. The company was accused of tracking users' listening habits. In response, RealNetworks changed its privacy policy to be more open about its practices. This experience helped shape Cantwell's strong views on privacy.

U.S. Senate Career

Senate Elections

In 2000, Maria Cantwell decided to run for the United States Senate. She faced Republican Senator Slade Gorton. The election was very close, and Cantwell won by a small margin of just over 2,200 votes out of 2.5 million cast. This was one of the closest elections in Washington's history.

She was reelected in 2006, winning by a large margin of 17 points. She also won her reelection campaigns in 2012, 2018, and 2024.

Cantwell (seated in the middle of the couch) with other female Senators of the 110th Congress, which served from 2007 until 2009.

Key Issues and Actions

Maria Cantwell has focused on several important issues during her time in the Senate.

Protecting Privacy

Cantwell has been a strong advocate for internet privacy laws. Her past experience in the tech industry influenced her views on this topic.

Health Care

She supports improving health care in the United States. She has worked on legislation to make health care more accessible and affordable. She also supports increasing access to family planning and preventative health methods.

Environment and Energy

Cantwell is known for her work on environmental issues. She has a high rating from the League of Conservation Voters. She has consistently opposed oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). She also supports developing alternative energy sources.

In 2009, she introduced a bill called the Carbon Limits and Energy for America's Renewal (CLEAR) Act. This bill aimed to limit carbon emissions and promote clean energy. She also worked to prevent energy market manipulation.

Foreign Policy

Cantwell has spoken out on international issues. For example, in 2009, she expressed concerns about the Italian justice system during the trial of Amanda Knox, a young woman from Washington. Knox was later found innocent.

In 2002, Cantwell voted to allow the use of military force in Iraq. However, she also stated that many questions needed to be answered before military action moved forward.

LGBTQ+ Rights

In 2022, Cantwell voted in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act. This law helps protect same-sex marriage rights across the country.

Protecting Young Athletes

Cantwell chairs the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. This committee oversees sports organizations like the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). She has supported laws designed to protect young athletes from abuse and harassment.

Cantwell speaks during the second day of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

Senate Committee Assignments

Maria Cantwell serves on several important committees in the Senate:

• Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (Chair)
• Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
• Committee on Finance
• Committee on Indian Affairs
• Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
• Joint Committee on Taxation

Caucus Memberships

Cantwell is also part of several groups in Congress that focus on specific issues:

• Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues
• Congressional Internet Caucus
• Senate National Guard Caucus
• Senate New Democrat Coalition
• Rare Disease Caucus

Images for kids

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  Cantwell responding to a question at a press conference in 2019.

See also

In Spanish: Maria Cantwell para niños

• Women in the United States House of Representatives
• Women in the United States Senate