Career Timeline of Maxine Waters: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Maxine Waters built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Maxine Waters is an American politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for California's 43rd congressional district since 1991. Her district encompasses a significant portion of southern Los Angeles and includes parts of Gardena, Inglewood, and Torrance. She previously represented the 29th and 35th districts. Waters is known for her outspoken political views and activism.
1966: Assistant Teacher in Head Start
In 1966, Maxine Waters became an assistant teacher with the Head Start program in Watts.
1973: Chief Deputy to City Councilman
In 1973, Maxine Waters began working as chief deputy to City Councilman David S. Cunningham Jr.
1976: Elected to California State Assembly
In 1976, Maxine Waters was elected to the California State Assembly.
1990: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 1990, Maxine Waters was elected to the United States House of Representatives for California's 29th congressional district.
1991: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 1991, Maxine Waters began serving as the U.S. Representative for California's 43rd congressional district, then numbered as the 29th district.
1997: Chaired Congressional Black Caucus
In 1997, Maxine Waters began chairing the Congressional Black Caucus.
1998: Chaired Congressional Black Caucus
In 1998, Maxine Waters continued to chair the Congressional Black Caucus.
1999: Waters calls on Clinton to return Elian Gonzalez to Cuba
In 1999, Maxine Waters called on President Bill Clinton to return six-year-old Elián González to his father in Cuba.
1999: End of term as Chair of Congressional Black Caucus
In 1999, Maxine Waters ended her term as the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
2005: Testified on For-Profit Education Fraud
In 2005, Maxine Waters testified at the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearings, highlighting the American College of Medical Technology as a "problem school" in her district.
2006: Involved in King Drew Medical Center Debate
In 2006, Maxine Waters was involved in the debate over King Drew Medical Center, criticizing media coverage and challenging the license renewal for KTLA-TV.
August 2008: Waters Introduces Stop VULTURE Funds Act
In August 2008, Maxine Waters introduced HR 6796, the Stop VULTURE Funds Act, aimed at limiting investors' ability to enforce sovereign debt against defaulting countries in U.S. courts.
2008: National Housing Trust Enacted
The National Housing Trust was enacted in 2008, but has yet to be funded.
2009: Co-sponsored Reparations Bill
In 2009, Maxine Waters co-sponsored Representative John Conyers's bill calling for reparations for slavery to be paid to black Americans.
2012: Ranking Member of House Financial Services Committee
In 2012, Maxine Waters became the ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee upon Barney Frank's retirement.
July 24, 2013: Voted in Favor of Amendment 100
On July 24, 2013, Maxine Waters voted in favor of Amendment 100 in H.R. 2397, which aimed to limit the NSA's data collection on U.S. citizens.
March 27, 2014: Introduced Home Forward Act of 2014
On March 27, 2014, Maxine Waters introduced a discussion draft of the Housing Opportunities Move the Economy Forward Act of 2014, known as the Home Forward Act of 2014, aimed at supporting affordable housing initiatives.
June 18, 2019: Waters Calls for Halt to Facebook's Libra Cryptocurrency
On June 18, 2019, Maxine Waters asked Facebook to halt its plan for the development and launching of Libra, a new cryptocurrency, citing a list of recent scandals and regulatory concerns.
December 18, 2019: Waters Votes for Trump's Impeachment
On December 18, 2019, Maxine Waters voted for both articles of impeachment against President Trump, calling him the "worst president in the history of the United States".
2019: Chaired House Financial Services Committee
In 2019, Maxine Waters became the chair of the House Financial Services Committee.
October 1, 2020: Waters Condemns Azerbaijan's Offensive Operations
On October 1, 2020, Maxine Waters co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemning Azerbaijan's offensive operations against Nagorno-Karabakh and denouncing Turkey's role in the conflict.
2023: Ranking Member of House Financial Services Committee
In 2023, Maxine Waters became the ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee.
