Do you know why we have 435 representatives in the House?
Congress stopped allowing the House to grow with the country.
The number isn't constitutional.
In 1929, after a decade of debate, Congress gave up fulfilling its constitutionally mandated responsibility to reapportion the House — passing the Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929, which effectively capped representation at 435.
Since the Act was passed, the population has tripled, but the number of representatives has remained the same.
In 1929, a representative served about 220,000 people in their district. Today that number is nearly 800,000 people per district.
As a result, Americans lack access to and accountability over Congress. This issue threatens the heart of self-government and requires the urgent attention of citizens and policymakers alike.
America grew.
Representation didn't.
For most of American history, the House expanded as the country grew. Freezing the chamber at 435 fundamentally changed that relationship.
Roughly 220,000 Americans for every representative.
Nearly 800,000 Americans for every representative.
The population kept growing. Communities multiplied. The number of people elected to represent them did not.
More communities.
Same 435 representatives.
Five reasons why 435 is the wrong number.
Congress is overwhelmed.
Congress is supposed to provide oversight of the executive branch, yet the executive branch dwarfs the legislative branch, making proper oversight nearly impossible. As a result, Congress increasingly delegates its own responsibility, making Congress weak and unable to represent the people.
Americans lack access to and accountability with their representatives.
With nearly 800,000 constituents per member, meaningful contact between citizens and their elected officials has become vanishingly rare. Most Americans have never contacted their representative, and many who have received little more than a form response.
Large districts increase the cost of campaigning.
It costs nearly $3 million to win a congressional seat. Representatives are forced to spend more time with donors than constituents. Increasing the number of representatives and shrinking districts would decrease the influence of big money and special interests.
Lack of representation stifles political diversity.
This has contributed to today's gerrymandering wars. Shrinking districts and increasing the number of representatives incentivizes parties and candidates to focus on providing representation for the district rather than fighting to redraw district lines in pursuit of power.
Lack of political representation leads to populist politics and weak leadership.
A lack of genuine political representation leaves millions of Americans without a meaningful voice. Uncapping the House allows more voices to be heard, strengthens the relationship between people and their representatives, and helps rebuild trust in government.
It doesn't have to be this way.
The House of Representatives was designed to be the institution closest to the people.
A House frozen at 435 has become increasingly distant from the communities it was designed to represent.
Uncapping the House means distributing political power among more representatives, more communities, and more Americans.
Before the 2030 Census.
Project No Cap's goal is to secure Congress's repeal of the Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929 before the next decennial census.
Get America talking.
During the midterm elections, we are working to build awareness among voters, candidates, policymakers, and the media about America's representation problem.
Uncap the House.
Repeal the Permanent Apportionment Act before the 2030 Census and restore Congress's responsibility to determine representation for a growing nation.
Take Action.
Help restore representation in the People's House.
Paid for by Project No Cap. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.