That's part of the problem. 435 is far too low for a representative democracy. The U.S. has the highest representation ratio among OECD nations[1]. The size of Congress has been held at this arbitrary number despite the size of the country growing threefold. The value of being in Congress, or being able to influence a member of Congress is enormous. As is the competition to get into one of those 435 seats. Is it any wonder big money controls so much of politics now?

[1] https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/05/31/u-s-populat...