Maria Cantwell facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Maria Cantwell


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
United States Senator from Washington
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2001 Serving with Patty Murray
Preceded by	Slade Gorton
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

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 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She went to Miami University and then moved to Seattle. In 1986, she was elected to the state house. After serving there, she was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1992. She served one term before losing her seat in 1994. After that, she worked for a company called RealNetworks.

Even though she said she would stay out of politics, Cantwell ran for the U.S. Senate in 2000. She won against the Republican senator, Slade Gorton, in a very close election. She has been reelected many times since then. Maria Cantwell is the second woman to become a senator from Washington, after Patty Murray.

Maria Cantwell's 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 a politician. He worked as a county commissioner, city councilor, and state legislator. Her mother, Rose, worked as an administrative assistant.

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

In 1983, Cantwell moved to Seattle, Washington. She worked on the presidential campaign for U.S. Senator Alan Cranston. She then moved to Mountlake Terrace, a suburb of Seattle. In 1986, she helped lead a successful effort to build a new library there.

Serving in the Washington State House

Becoming a State Representative

In 1986, Maria Cantwell was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives. She was 28 years old at the time. She won against George Dahlquist. She was reelected two more times in 1988 and 1990.

What She Did in the State House

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 laws about 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

Her Elections to Congress

In 1992, Cantwell won against Republican State Senator Gary A. Nelson. She became the first Democrat in 40 years to be elected to the United States House of Representatives from Washington's first district.

However, in 1994, she lost her seat to Republican Rick White. That year, many Democrats in Washington lost their positions.

What She Did in Congress

Maria Cantwell was known as a "pro-business Democrat." She supported President Bill Clinton's 1993 budget, which raised taxes. During her term, she helped convince the Clinton administration to stop supporting the Clipper chip. This was a technology that worried people about privacy. She also voted for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Working in the Private Sector

After losing her election in 1994, Cantwell decided to leave politics. She took a job as vice president of marketing for RealNetworks. One of her achievements there was helping to broadcast a Mariners baseball game live on the internet in 1995. This was a big step for online sports broadcasts.

Later, RealNetworks faced criticism about its software. Some groups said the software tracked users' listening habits without them knowing. RealNetworks then changed its privacy policy to be more open. This experience helped shape Cantwell's strong views on privacy.

Serving in the U.S. Senate

Her Senate Elections

The 2000 Election

In 1999, people encouraged Cantwell to run for the U.S. Senate. She decided to run against the Republican senator, Slade Gorton. Privacy was a key issue in the campaign. Cantwell talked about internet privacy. She had spent over $10 million of her own money on her campaign. She promised not to take money from political action committees (PACs).

The election was very close. Cantwell won by only 1,953 votes out of 2.5 million votes. This was one of the closest elections in Washington's history. She became one of the few women to defeat an incumbent senator.

Later Elections

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

In 2006, Cantwell was reelected by a large margin. She won even in some areas that usually vote Republican. She was reelected again in 2012, 2018, and 2024.

What She Does as a Senator

Cantwell has supported laws to change how political campaigns are funded. She also supports the Perkins Loan program for students. She has said she is against privatizing Social Security.

In 2005, she voted for the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). This decision was important for Washington's economy.

In 2016, she received one electoral vote for vice president. This happened because a voter in Washington chose her instead of the official candidate.

Cantwell has worked to improve internet privacy laws for everyone.

Protecting the Environment and Energy

Cantwell is against drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). She has been a strong voice against rising oil and gas prices. She wants more rules for oil markets. In 2005, she stopped efforts to allow drilling in ANWR. She got enough votes from other senators to block the measure.

The League of Conservation Voters has given her high ratings for her environmental work. She supports research into alternative energy sources. She also works to protect Washington's forests. She has been endorsed by many environmental groups.

In 2009, Cantwell introduced a bill called the Carbon Limits and Energy for America's Renewal (CLEAR) Act. This bill aimed to limit carbon emissions.

In 2011, she was praised for her work against shark finning. This practice kills millions of sharks each year.

In 2019, she joined other senators asking the EPA to set limits for certain chemicals in drinking water. These chemicals are called PFAS.

She also signed a letter asking for full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Act. This act helps national parks and public lands.

Foreign Policy and the Iraq War

In 2002, Cantwell voted to allow the use of military force against Iraq. She said she had questions that needed answers before military action. She wanted to ensure a plan for after the war.

In 2006, she voted for a measure that encouraged a phased withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

Health Care Reform

Cantwell supports health care reform in the United States. She helped create health care laws as a member of the Finance Committee. She supported creating a public health care option. This option would compete with private insurance companies.

LGBTQ+ Rights

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

Immigration

In 2006, Cantwell voted for a bill that aimed to reform immigration. This bill included plans for border security. It also had a program for guest workers and a path to citizenship for some immigrants.

Minimum Wage

In 2021, Cantwell voted to include a $15 hourly minimum wage in a relief plan. However, this effort was not successful.

Supporting Other Democrats

Cantwell often supports other Democratic candidates. She helps them raise money for their campaigns. In 2007, she supported Hillary Clinton for president. After Clinton left the race, Cantwell supported Barack Obama. In 2013, she again supported Hillary Clinton for the 2016 presidential election.

Her Committee Roles

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

Other Groups She Belongs To

Cantwell is also part of several special groups in Congress:

Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues
Congressional Hazards Caucus
Congressional Internet Caucus
Congressional Wine Caucus
Senate National Guard Caucus
Senate New Democrat Coalition
Senate Steel Caucus

Images for kids

Maria Cantwell's signature.
Cantwell speaks during the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
Cantwell responding to a question at a press conference in 2019.