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, previously numbered as the 29th and 35th, encompasses much of southern Los Angeles and parts of Gardena, Inglewood, and Torrance. She is known for her outspoken nature and progressive political views, advocating for social justice and economic equality.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1966: Hired as Assistant Teacher

In 1966, Maxine Waters was hired as 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, initially numbered as the 29th district.

1997: Chaired Congressional Black Caucus

In 1997, Maxine Waters began her term as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

1998: Chaired Congressional Black Caucus

In 1998, Maxine Waters continued her term as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

1999: End of term as chair of Congressional Black Caucus

In 1999, Maxine Waters' term as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus came to an end.

2002: Waters Voted Against Iraq War Resolution

In 2002, Maxine Waters voted against the Iraq War Resolution, which funded and approved potential military action against Saddam Hussein's regime.

2005: Testified on For-Profit Education Fraud

In 2005, Maxine Waters testified at the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearings on "Enforcement of Federal Anti-Fraud Laws in For-Profit Education", highlighting the American College of Medical Technology as a "problem school" in her district.

2007: Waters criticizes Bush's handling of Iraq War

In 2007, Maxine Waters criticized President George W. Bush for requesting funds for the "occupation" in Iraq, arguing it was draining resources that could be used for universal health care or fully funding his "No Child Left Behind" education bill. She also suggested that economic need drove some U.S. service personnel to serve in Iraq.

August 2008: Waters Introduces Stop VULTURE Funds Act

In August 2008, Maxine Waters introduced HR 6796, the Stop Very Unscrupulous Loan Transfers from Underprivileged countries from Rich Exploitive Funds Act (Stop VULTURE Funds Act). The bill aimed to limit the ability of investors in sovereign debt to use U.S. courts against defaulting countries, but it ultimately died in committee.

2008: National Housing Trust Enacted

In 2008, the National Housing Trust, which was later a key part of Maxine Waters' Home Forward Act of 2014, was enacted but not yet 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.

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.

June 18, 2019: Waters Asks Facebook to Halt Libra Development

On June 18, 2019, Maxine Waters requested that Facebook halt its plans for the development and launch of Libra, a new cryptocurrency, citing a lack of regulatory framework and concerns about privacy, security, and trading risks.

December 18, 2019: Waters Votes for Trump's Impeachment

On December 18, 2019, Maxine Waters voted for both articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, calling him "the worst president in the history of the United States."

2019: Chaired the House Financial Services Committee

In 2019, Maxine Waters became the chair of the House Financial Services Committee.

October 1, 2020: Waters Condemns Azerbaijan's Actions in Nagorno-Karabakh

On October 1, 2020, Maxine Waters co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that condemned Azerbaijan's offensive operations against the Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, denounced Turkey's role in the conflict, and called for an immediate ceasefire.