At a Glance

Seat

U.S. Senator from Washington

Born

October 13, 1958

Age 67

Phone

(202) 224-3441

Office

511 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510, Washington 20515

Congress Member Profile|U.S. Senator|Democrat|Washington

Maria Cantwell

Maria Ellen Cantwell is an American politician serving as the junior U.S. senator from Washington since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served in the Washington House of Representatives from 1987 to 1993 and in the United States House of Representatives from 1993 to 1995.

Source: Wikipedia • View full (CC BY-SA)

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Voting Record — 830

Yes31%

No69%

Present0%

Not Voting0%

Party align97%

Cross-party2%

SoupScore

District Map

Senate District (Statewide)

U.S. Census Bureau boundary data.

Social & Web

Official site Bluesky X @SenatorCantwell Facebook YouTube

External Resources

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Maria Cantwell

U.S. SenatorDemocratWashington

SoupScore

Maria's ATmosphere Activity

20 recent posts · 23 sponsored · 159 cosponsored

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Recent ATmosphere posts, sponsorships, and cosponsorships.

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 13(source)

The more data that comes in, the clearer it becomes that the economy is headed in the wrong direction. An already dismal initial estimate of growth for the fourth quarter of 2025 of 1.4 percent, was cut in half by today’s revision to 0.7 percent. (1/2)

The Associated Press

@apnews.com

Open post ↗

The U.S. economy advanced at a 0.7% pace in Q4 of 2025, a big downgrade from the Commerce Department's initial estimate.

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 11(source)

The President must adhere to the Constitution, fulfill American values, and provide transparency about the attacks on Iran. I wrote to Sec. Hegseth demanding answers about civilian casualties in Iran, including airstrikes on a girls’ elementary school that reportedly killed 168 people. My letter⬇️

Secretary Hegseth,

We write with grave concern regarding the airstrikes on a girls’ elementary school that reportedly killed at least 168 people – mostly children – in Minab, Iran during the opening salvo of U.S. and Israeli operations on Iran on February 28. To be clear, the war against Iran is a war of choice without Congressional authorization. Nonetheless, as these military actions continue, the United States and Israel must abide by U.S. and international law, including the law of armed conflict. There must be a swift investigation into the strikes on this school and any other potential U.S. military actions causing civilian harm, and the findings must be released to the public as soon as possible, along with any measures to pursue accountability.

The results of this school attack are horrific. The majority of those killed in the strikes were girls between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken responsibility for this attack. On March 4, you acknowledged that the United States was looking into the strikes at the school, saying "all I know, all I can say, is that we're investigating that," but shared no information about a timeline for review nor a commitment to accountability. A New York Times analysis of available evidence suggests that U.S. forces most likely struck the school amid attacks on an adjacent Iranian naval base, despite satellite imagery showing that the building had been walled off from the military base and used as a school since at least 2016. And U.S. military investigators themselves reportedly believe that U.S. forces were likely responsible.

There have also been reports of airstrikes that have hit multiple hospitals, cultural heritage sites, and other critical civilian infrastructure. This includes the use of explosive weapons in major Iranian cities and

populated areas, including the capital, Tehran, which is home to approximately 9 million people. As of March 10, 2026, there have been over 1,245 civilians killed and over 12,000 civilians injured in the war, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Massive civilian casualty incidents like the attack in Minab are not only detrimental to the Iranian people, who have already suffered so much at the hands of its own government, but they also undermine U.S. national security interests. These concerns are compounded by the reported use of artificial intelligence tools to select and prioritize targets in Iran.

These civilian harm events are not taking place in a vacuum. As Secretary of Defense, you set the tone for U.S. military conduct, and your recent comments send a clear message of disregard for the laws of war. On March 3, you said that Operation Epic Fury would have “no stupid rules of engagement.” On March 4, you said while describing U.S. military operations in Iran that there will be “death and destruction from the sky all day long.” This rhetoric only serves to endanger civilians, including American citizens, in the region and around the globe. The United States is a party to the Geneva Conventions and bound by international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. These are binding and non-negotiable standards designed to protect innocent human life, and it is unacceptable for the Secretary of Defense to suggest otherwise.

Your comments reflect a broader pattern of policies abandoning the Defense Department’s commitment to minimizing civilian harm in U.S. military operations. Under this administration, budgetary and personnel cuts at the Department have robbed military commands of crucial resources to prevent and respond to civilian casualties, including at U.S. Central Command and the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, which supports commands in this work and was codified into law with bipartisan congressional support. You have also removed senior, nonpartisan Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers who provide essential legal guidance to U.S. service members, particularly regarding compliance with the law of armed conflict and U.S. policies aimed at reducing civilian harm. These actions, combined with your comments and the horrific reports of civilian casualties stemming from the war against Iran, suggest the administration has abandoned its duty to protect civilians.

We request answers to the following questions regarding the February 28 attack on the elementary school no later than March 18, 2026.

Did U.S. forces conduct the strikes that struck the girls’ school in Minab, Iran on February 28, 2026? If not, did the United States play any role in planning, coordinating, or supporting the strikes?
If U.S. forces carried out the strikes on the school, what was the intended target? What led to the errant strike? At what command level was authorization granted? What weapons and systems were used in the strikes?

What analysis was done to determine the purpose of the building? When was this analysis completed? What measures were implemented to reduce the risk of civilian casualties? What was the intended military objective? Were AI tools used in planning or executing these strikes?
What analysis, if any, led the U.S. military to conclude that the expected civilian harm would not be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated?
You said U.S. forces would follow "no stupid rules of engagement." Are you complying with rules to prevent the commission of war crimes? If so, what procedures are in place to implement those rules?
What steps has the U.S. military taken to prevent and mitigate civilian harm in its operational planning and targeting? Was a “no-strike list” established prior to the commencement of U.S. military operations in Iran?
Have any U.S. military operations in Iran utilized, or will any utilize, artificial intelligence tools, and if so, provide specifics of how they are being used and for what purpose? What human verification and redundancy policies are in place, if any, to evaluate the accuracy and legitimacy of AI-generated targets? Please provide a copy of any procedures service members use to verify AI-generated targets and recommend them for execution.
What role do civilian harm mitigation and response (CHMR) staff at CENTCOM play in operational planning and targeting? How has CENTCOM compensated for the reduction in resources dedicated to this effort, including the loss of dedicated civilian harm mitigation teams?
The U.S. has reported that it struck over 1,000 targets in just 24 hours. Given this volume, the compressed timeframe, and the presence of targets in populated areas, what steps and precautions has the U.S. taken to ensure compliance with the laws of war during these strikes? How has the U.S. implemented established CHMR policies and practices?

(signatures)

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 10(source)

The SAVE America Act will cost Washingtonians time and money – maybe even their vote. We need to fight back. As Rev. Michael Jones of the Vancouver NAACP says: “Democracy is not meant to be navigated like a maze.”

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 9(source)

A fierce guardian of our cherished salmon and the Puget Sound, his legacy lives on in the environmental restoration efforts and rich natural diversity we all revere. As we continue fighting for equity and social justice, let us share his story with the entire nation. (2/2)

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 9(source)

Today is Billy Frank Jr. Day — a day to celebrate the life and legacy of a legendary PNW civil rights leader. Billy spent his life fighting for Treaty fishing rights that had long been denied, and his bravery led to the breakthrough Boldt decision that forever changed WA’s landscape. (1/2)

How to commemorate Billy Frank Jr. Day - Northwest Treaty Tribes

Every year, the treaty tribes in Western Washington observe Billy Frank Jr.’s birthday on March 9. The fishing rights warrior…

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 8(source)

We must not allow this attack on women's rights to become law. (2/2)

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 8(source)

Today on International Women's Day we honor those who have long fought for gender equality. The SAVE America Act is a renewed attack on voting rights and would require many women who changed their name at marriage to submit additional paperwork or lose their right to vote. (1/2)

March 8 - International Women's Day - Celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 7(source)

I'll always cherish the honor of joining Rep. John Lewis on his pilgrimage across the bridge and will continue to honor those who have fought this battle the longest. We must recommit ourselves to block efforts to limit the right to vote. Every American's vote is sacred. (2/2)

Sen. Cantwell with Rep. John Lewis, other members of WA delegation, on Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 7(source)

61 years ago today unarmed Americans marching to demand their voting rights were brutally beaten as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Now Republicans are pushing the SAVE America Act which would put new bureaucratic hurdles in place that make it harder to register. (1/2)

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 6(source)

This Administration made promises to working families on “day one” but we are now in year two and they have not delivered. (3/3)

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 6(source)

Along with rising gas and energy costs, plus an expensive unauthorized war creating immense market uncertainty, families already stressed by the high cost of living now must worry about losing their job. (2/3)

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 6(source)

Today’s jobs report showing a loss of 92,000 jobs in February is another troubling sign for the American worker. The economy is shedding jobs and employers are not hiring. (1/3)

CNN

@cnn.com

Open post ↗

The US economy lost 92,000 jobs last month, far worse than expected. https://cnn.it/4rNtNg2

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 5(source)

I hope the Coast Guard will now be able to get back to its core mission: serving the American people by revitalizing search and rescue, supporting robust maritime trade, and boosting American fisheries. (3/3)

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 5(source)

Americans have the right to protest and speak freely and do so without fear of getting shot or being beaten by ICE agents. Noem allowed immigration enforcement officials to abuse their power and authority, making America less secure, not more. (2/3)

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 5(source)

Kristi Noem led DHS and ICE with an unpardonable disregard for American civil liberties, civil rights, local and state governments, and the Constitution. (1/3)

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 5(source)

My statement on my “yes” vote to establish Congressional authority over military action in Iran:

The President doesn’t believe he is subject to constraints, but the Constitution and the law require Congressional approval for any broad-based military action.

Today’s vote is the first vote in holding the President accountable to those constraints and doing our duty under the Constitution, which says clearly that only Congress can declare war.

The President has taken broad military action in Iran, taking out government leaders, bombing key military targets, and trying to destroy Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal.

While deterring dangerous regimes from developing nuclear weapons is a critical mission, this effort has gone far beyond key strikes on timely, urgent targets.

That is why the President must come to Congress if he wants broad military authority.

Under the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution, Congress has the power to declare war, while the President, as Commander in Chief, may only use military force without prior congressional approval to repel sudden attacks and respond to clear imminent threats.

Americans want to know the plan. With our economy in turbulence and working people wanting us to focus on their immediate economic needs and combatting inflation, it is hard to argue that an expensive, risky, and disruptive military venture in the Middle East is the right action to take now.

Today’s vote is important for reaffirming our belief that any broad military engagement that risks loss of life and treasure must be approved by Congress.

Instead, we should focus on tougher sanctions and a vigorous inspection regime to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons.

The American people deserve to know where Congress stands. The Constitution puts constraints on the President. My colleagues on the other side of aisle should help rein in the President when he continues to ignore those constitutional constraints, including on tariffs, free speech, voting rights and now war powers. They should not just give the President a free hand.

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 4(source)

After the briefing today, my position remains unchanged and I will vote for the War Powers Resolution Act tomorrow.

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 3(source)

I’ve heard from WA potato farmers that export markets like China and even British Columbia are essentially gone. China and India are now in the potato business, and the competition from them is growing. Meanwhile President Trump’s tariffs are putting us on the sidelines.

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govMar 3(source)

Important information for Washingtonians who are in the Middle East ⬇️

Steps to Take for Americans in the Middle East:
    1.    Enroll in STEP: step.state.gov to receive the latest updates from the nearest U.S. Embassy
    2.    Follow us: @travelgov on social media or the WhatsApp channel “U.S. Department of State - Security Updates for U.S. Citizens”
    3.    Call to request emergency assistance:
+1-202-501-4444 from overseas
+1-888-407-4747 from the U.S. and Canada

U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE

Sen. Maria Cantwell@cantwell.senate.govFeb 28(source)

Adherence to the Constitution, transparency, reason, and deliberation, guided by American values and interests, should determine what we do next. (6/6)

← Newer postsPosts page 6Older posts →

Sponsored Bills(23)

S. 4471 (119th)
A bill to ensure transparent and competitive transportation fuel markets in order to protect…
S. 4311 (119th)
A bill to amend section 13 of the Federal Trade Commission Act to provide for equitable reli…
S. 4014 (119th)
A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Nisqually Indian Tribe the C…
S. 3881 (119th)
A bill to reauthorize the Tsunami Warning and Education Act, and for other purposes.
S. 3795 (119th)
A bill to establish the Radar Next Program, and for other purposes.

Cosponsored Bills(159)

S. 4668 (119th)
A bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, stud…
Joined: 2026-06-02
S. Res. 755 (119th)
A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable Donald W. Riegle, Jr., former Senator for th…
Joined: 2026-06-01
S. 4582 (119th)
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the designation of general sur…
Joined: 2026-05-20
S. Res. 739 (119th)
A resolution honoring the life and legacy of John Seymour, the late Senator for the State of…
Joined: 2026-05-19
S.J. Res. 192 (119th)
A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, Unite…
Joined: 2026-05-19

Leadership

No leadership roles

Committees

SoupScore Breakdown

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Voting History

830 total votes

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Recent roll calls with party-majority context so it is easier to scan how this member tends to vote.

Date	Bill	Question	Position	Party Maj	Align?	Result
2025-02-03	—	Confirm nominee	NO	NO	✓	Nomination Confirmed (59-38)
2025-02-03	—	Begin consideration	NO	NO	✓	Motion to Proceed Agreed to (51-46)
2025-01-30	—	End debate	YES	YES	✓	Cloture Motion Agreed to (83-13)
2025-01-30	—	End debate	NO	NO	✓	Cloture Motion Agreed to (62-35)
2025-01-30	—	Confirm nominee	YES	YES	✓	Nomination Confirmed (80-17)
2025-01-29	—	End debate	YES	YES	✓	Cloture Motion Agreed to (78-20)
2025-01-29	—	Confirm nominee	NO	NO	✓	Nomination Confirmed (56-42)
2025-01-29	—	End debate	NO	NO	✓	Cloture Motion Agreed to (56-42)
2025-01-28	H.R. 23 (119th)	End filibuster to begin debate	NO	NO	✓	Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (54-45, 3/5 majority required)
2025-01-28	—	Confirm nominee	YES	YES	✓	Nomination Confirmed (77-22)
2025-01-27	—	End debate	YES	YES	✓	Cloture Motion Agreed to (97-0)
2025-01-27	—	Confirm nominee	YES	NO	✕↔	Nomination Confirmed (68-29)
2025-01-25	—	End debate	YES	NO	✕↔	Cloture Motion Agreed to (67-23)
2025-01-25	—	Confirm nominee	NO	NO	✓	Nomination Confirmed (59-34)
2025-01-24	—	End debate	NO	NO	✓	Cloture Motion Agreed to (61-39)
2025-01-24	—	Confirm nominee	NO	NO	✓	Nomination Confirmed (50-50, Vice President of the United States, voted Yea)
2025-01-23	—	End debate	NO	NO	✓	Cloture Motion Agreed to (51-49)
2025-01-23	—	Confirm nominee	NO	NO	✓	Nomination Confirmed (74-25)
2025-01-23	—	End debate	NO	NO	✓	Cloture Motion Agreed to (72-26)
2025-01-22	S. 6 (119th)	End filibuster to begin debate	NO	NO	✓	Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (52-47, 3/5 majority required)
2025-01-21	—	Begin consideration	NO	NO	✓	Motion to Proceed Agreed to (53-45)
2025-01-21	—	Begin consideration	NO	NO	✓	Motion to Proceed Agreed to (54-46)
2025-01-20	—	Confirm nominee	YES	YES	✓	Nomination Confirmed (99-0)
2025-01-20	S. 5 (119th)	Final passage	NO	NO	✓	Bill Passed (64-35)
2025-01-20	S. 5 (119th)	Vote on amendment	YES	NO	✕↔	Amendment Agreed to (75-24)
2025-01-17	S. 5 (119th)	End debate	NO	NO	✓	Cloture Motion Agreed to (61-35, 3/5 majority required)
2025-01-15	S. 5 (119th)	Vote on amendment	YES	YES	✓	Amendment Rejected (46-49)
2025-01-15	S. 5 (119th)	Vote on amendment	YES	NO	✕↔	Amendment Agreed to (70-25)
2025-01-13	S. 5 (119th)	Begin consideration	YES	YES	✓	Motion to Proceed Agreed to (82-10)
2025-01-09	S. 5 (119th)	End filibuster to begin debate	YES	YES	✓	Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to (84-9, 3/5 majority required)

Alignment stats consider only votes where a clear yes/no majority existed for the legislator's party. Cross-party marks divergence where the vote matched the opposite party majority. ↔ indicates cross-party divergence.

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