Maxine Waters (born Maxine Moore Carr; August 15, 1938) is the U.S. Representative for California's 35th congressional district, and previously the 29th district, serving since 1991. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

She is the most senior of the 12 black women currently serving in the United States Congress, and is a member and former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Before Congress she served in the California Assembly, where she was first elected in 1976.

As an Assembly member Waters advocated for divestment from South Africa's apartheid regime. In Congress she has long been an outspoken opponent of the Iraq War.