The Apportionment Act of 1929 effectively capped the number of representatives in the U.S. House at 435, a decision that has increasingly limited the representative nature of Congress. This cap prevents the House from scaling with population growth, meaning that districts today are often too large and diverse for a single representative to meaningfully advocate for the interests of all constituents. The resulting imbalance dilutes individual voices, especially in densely populated areas, and skews representation away from the original intention of a House that grows to accurately reflect the population it serves. Moreover, smaller states with relatively fewer people end up overrepresented, while larger, rapidly growing states face disproportionately large districts where communities struggle to gain adequate attention.
Removing the Apportionment Act would allow Congress to expand the House in proportion to the nation’s population, restoring a more equitable and functional representative structure. An expanded House would lower the population per representative, making it easier for representatives to connect with their constituents, understand their needs, and act on their behalf. This change could foster a government that is more responsive, transparent, and accountable. By revisiting and repealing the cap imposed in 1929, the U.S. can progress toward a more representative democracy, better equipped to address the challenges and diversity of the 21st century.