Maya L. Kornberg wrote a stellar book in 2026 entitled “Stuck: How Money, Media, and Violence Prevent Change in Congress.” I am not writing a book review rather I want to share with you what can be done to improve the lives of members of the House right now. Congress is wealthier than the country it represents. In 2014, for the first time in history, the majority of Congress were millionaires. Members from working-class backgrounds comprise only two percent of Congress,

Many of the newly elected people come to Congress from backgrounds that are not privileged and these individuals, although well representing their constituencies (women, people of color), do not have the wealth nor the connections to do the job they were elected to do. They make around $176,000 a year and their job has not seen a raise in 15 years. Unlike their wealthy colleagues, they cannot afford two homes — one in D.C. and the other in the community that elected them. So many of them are forced to sleep in their offices. It is nice that they represent “new blood” in Congress. Yes, but the job they were elected to do they can’t do properly. They soon learn they need to do fundraising rather than legislation. Little time is devoted to teaching them what they need to know so they can be successful in their new roles. Mentors are missing. They are quickly made aware that violence could happen to them or members of their family and they are allotted $10,000 a month for security. Not good.

Here are a few suggestions from Kornberg on how to unstick the system: Hiring expert staff, people who know firsthand how the Congress works is considered by Kornberg to be the most important thing the newly elected can do. Partnering with senior members–getting leaders and senior members on your side is essential. Benefitting from comradery and cooperation — joining caucuses such as Women’s Caucus, Hispanic Caucus, Black Caucus.

Kornberg asserts that running for office must be more accessible and that limits must be placed on super PACS. In New York City there is a public matching fund program. Private donations to candidates below a certain amount are matched with public funds. A $100 donation is matched 8 to 1, translating to $900 for a campaign.

I will end with a quote from Kornberg “… our system is stuck in a campaign finance system that excludes most Americans from power. The people’s branch must represent the people it serves.”

Lillian Cartwright lives in Easthampton.