The size of the House of Representatives has not grown since 1929, and Congress froze the number of members at 435. Meanwhile, the U.S. population has nearly quadrupled.

That means your member of Congress represents a lot more people, which makes it more difficult for everyday citizens to have their voices heard. Moreover, the population growth has not been even—with disparities having a greater effect on larger, more diverse states.

A larger House chamber would more equitably represent its constitutional mandate.

Increasing the number of House seats would allow a higher proportion of districts where communities of color and other diverse regional interests can elect their preferred candidates. Congress could then more effectively address issues like housing, jobs and immigration.

While the Senate must have two senators per state, the Constitution says nothing about how big the House chamber must be—only that each state be allocated a proportional number by population, so long as each state has at least one. Congress capped the number at 435, and they can vote to change it anytime.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) has introduced the REAL House Act, legislation that would increase the number of U.S. Representatives to 585 after the 2030 U.S. Census. It is a very modest but necessary measure to bring Congress closer to the people and make us a more perfect union.

Sign the petition: Make Congress closer to the people. Grow the House chamber.