Biography

Rep. Matt Cartwright was first sworn into Congress on January 3, 2013.  During his time in the House of Representatives serving the people of northeastern Pennsylvania and the eastern Lehigh Valley, Cartwright has stepped forward as a leader, having been elected class president in his first term and Regional Whip by his colleagues thereafter.  Further, Cartwright has introduced over 60 pieces of legislation that aim to help seniors, military families, veterans, students, workers, consumers, the middle class, and the environment – the majority of which were introduced with bi-partisan support. 

Cartwright was elected to serve on the House Committee on Appropriations.  Prior to serving on the House Committee on Appropriations, he served on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where he was the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Health Care, Benefits, and Administrative Rules; Cartwright was also a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources.  Cartwright was additionally named to the Democratic Outreach and Engagement Task Force by Assistant Minority Leader Jim Clyburn.

During his time in Congress, Cartwright has developed and introduced more bills than any other House Democrat.  Introduced measures have proposed expanded rights and benefits for Americans who deserve more favorable treatment under the law.  Cartwright’s legislative portfolio has also focused heavily on protecting the environment from exemptions and loopholes in fundamental environmental protection statutes and promoting equity for wage-grade federal workers at federal installations like, for example, VA hospitals, federal prisons, and military depots.

Cartwright has been independently recognized as a leader in gaining cosponsorships and high-powered support within the House of Representatives for his bills.  He has also been named a Moderate Democratic Leader in the House by a leading legislator ranking organization.

Prior to coming to Congress, Matt Cartwright worked as an attorney with Munley, Munley & Cartwright for 25 years.  Matt spent his time at the firm fighting for the middle class and working families and served as a member of the Board of Governors of the American Association for Justice.

Cartwright is a magna cum laude graduate of Hamilton College, where he earned Bachelor of Arts in History in 1983.  He is a law review graduate of University of Pennsylvania’s Law School, where he earned a Juris Doctorate in 1986.

Cartwright is married to Marion Munley Cartwright and is the father of two sons, Jack and Matthew.  The Cartwrights live in Moosic.