Matt Cartwright

Matt Cartwright

Matt Cartwright is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 17th district of Pennsylvania.

He is married to Marion Munley Cartwright and is the father of two sons, Jack and Matthew.

Education

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

Career

Prior to serving as the Representative from Pennsylvania’s 17th District, Matt Cartwright worked as an attorney at the Munley, Munley & Cartwright firm, and is a member of the Board of Governors of the American Association for Justice.

In addition to his experience as an attorney, Cartwright has been a member of the “Brain Trust” for The Small Business Advocate for over a decade. In this role, Matt has continued his work protecting the middle class by addressing issues such as unfair provisions in business contracts, predatory lending practices, and auditing malpractice.

He understands how corporate America has taken advantage of our working families and the middle class.

Volunteer work

Matt Cartwright has dedicated his time to the community through volunteer work with the Boy Scouts of America, Rotary International, and the Hope Center Legal Clinic. After the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Matt brought his firm to take part in the Trial Lawyers’ Care project, volunteering his time to represent seven families before the Victims’ Compensation Fund in New York City. In the wake of the “kids for cash” scandal in 2009, Cartwright spearheaded the Juvenile Defense Pro Bono Volunteer Lawyer Project in Luzerne County.

Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act Introduced

From an AFSCME press release dated October 26, 2021:

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act was introduced today in the House of Representatives by Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.). The bill, which currently has 144 cosponsors, would set a minimum nationwide standard of collective bargaining rights that states must provide. It would empower workers to join together for a voice on the job not only to improve working conditions but to improve the communities in which they work.

During a press conference today announcing the bill’s introduction, AFSCME President Lee Saunders highlighted the sacrifices that public service workers have made over the past two years during the pandemic.

“Health care workers, school employees, corrections officers, sanitation workers, behavioral health professionals and many more – they have stood fearlessly on the front lines to protect their neighbors from this pandemic,” Saunders said. “For all their service and sacrifice, they deserve the freedom to negotiate – to sit down with management, discuss terms of employment and hammer out a fair contract.”

The Freedom to Negotiate Act will blunt a decades-long effort by anti-worker politicians and their wealthy corporate donors to deny workers the chance to join strong unions. Specifically, the law will give public service workers the freedom to:

• Join together in a union selected by a majority of employees; 
• Collectively bargain over wages, hours and terms and conditions of employment; 
• Resolve disputes with their employers through an unbiased process;
• Use voluntary payroll deduction for union dues; 
• Engage in concerted activities related to collective bargaining and mutual aid; 
• Have their union be free from requirements to hold rigged recertification elections; and
• File suit in court to enforce their labor rights.    
• Currently, nearly half the states don’t have laws that provide for meaningful collective bargaining in the public sector. The Freedom to Negotiate Act would allow public service workers across the country to join together in a union to win respect and fair treatment on the job. 

In a joint release issued by AFT, NEA and SEIU, President Saunders added, “Our communities are safer, healthier and stronger when public service workers…have the freedom to join a union and speak up together for their communities.”

The benefits that unions provide are broad and powerful. We know, for example, that union members earn higher wages and are more likely than nonunion members to have employer-provided health care and other benefits, like paid sick and family leave. Particularly for women and workers of color, belonging to a union closes income and wealth gaps. For those who work in the public sector, belonging to a union means pay more in line with private sector counterparts. But unions benefit not only those who belong to them, but even those who aren’t members. The COVID-19 crisis made even clearer that unions are also a crucial tool for on-the-job safety.

Finally, there’s strong support for the Freedom to Negotiate Act. Seventy percent of Americans support the law. And with public support for unions at its highest since 1965 — 68% — it’s time for Congress to pass the PSFNA.

Labor Caucus

The Labor Caucus is an official caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2021 members included Matt Cartwright .

Congressional Progressive Caucus

By March 2013, Matt Cartwright had joined the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

In January 2015, Matt Cartwright was listed as a Vice Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

PDA 2020 endorsement

In 2020 Progressive Democrats of America endorsed Matt Cartwright's congressional run.

PDA support

Alan Minsky, Progressive Democrats of America, "Help PDA Return Katie Porter and Matt Cartwright to Congress", November 1, 2020,

Matt Cartwright, the progressive Congressman from Northeast Pennsylvania and a co-sponsor of the Medicare-for-All Bill H.R. 1384, faces a tough re-election in one of the most consequential swing districts in the country.

Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional district includes Scranton, PA, [Joe Biden]]’s original hometown. In 2016, Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the district. As you can imagine, the campaigning is fierce there in 2020.

Trump would love nothing more than to win Biden’s home district, and knock out a Progressive Congressman at the same time. As such, every extra vote we can win for Rep. Cartwright is a vote against Donald Trump. This one is a two-fer.

Support from House Majority Forward

On October 8, 2019, House Majority Forward "launched a seven-figure ad campaign supporting the following Democratic candidates for the U.S. House in 2020":

• Abby Finkenauer (IA-01)
• Cindy Axne (IA-03)
• Elissa Slotkin (MI-08)
• Haley Stevens (MI-11)
• Angie Craig (MN-02)
• Chris Pappas (NH-01)
• Susie Lee (NV-03)
• Antonio Delgado (NY-19)
• Matt Cartwright (PA-08)
• Elaine Luria (VA-02)
• Abigail Spanberger (VA-07)

PDA contact

In 2013 Progressive Democrats of America assigned activists to deliver their material to almost every US Congressman and several Senators. Tereasa Allurday, was assigned as contact for Rep. Cartwright. In June it was Zach Smith.

NRDC Action

In 2022 the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund endorsed Matt Cartwright.

Anti-Fracking legislation

On March 14, 2013, Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) and Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) have introduced the Bringing Reductions to Energy’s Airborne Toxic Health Effect (BREATHE) Act, and the Focused Reduction of Effluence and Stormwater runoff through Hydraulic Environmental Regulation (FRESHER) Act, in order to ensure that the hydraulic fracking industry follows the same rules that other industries do in preserving our natural resources. This legislation is focused on ensuring the safety and the health of the communities where the hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, process is already taking place.

The BREATHE Act would ensure that we close the oil and gas industry’s loophole to the Clean Air Act’s aggregation provision, in addition to adding hydrogen sulfide—a chemical associated with nausea, vomiting, headaches, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat—to the Clean Air Act’s federal list of hazardous air pollutants.

The BREATHE Act has the following original co-sponsors including: Reps. Rush Holt, Jr., Raul Grijalva, John Sarbanes, James Moran, Michael Quigley, Earl Blumenauer, Gerry Connolly,Zoe Lofgren, Michael Honda, Paul Tonko, Barbara Lee, David Price, Carolyn Maloney, Michael Capuano, Mark Pocan, Jim McDermott, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alcee Hastings, Keith Ellison, Niki Tsongas, William Keating, Adam Smith, Jim Langevin, Chellie Pingree, Judy Chu, Louise Slaughter, Jerrold Nadler, Grace Meng, Jan Schakowsky, Nita Lowey, Jared Huffman, Gary Peters and Alan Lowenthal.

The following organizations have endorsed this legislation and are actively working to garner support within Congress and throughout the country: Physicians for Social Responsibility, Natural Resources Defense Council, Earthjustice, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, Sierra Club, Earthworks, Breast Cancer Action, Clean Water Action, Environment America, Greenpeace, Nature Abounds, Oil Change International, Citizens for a Healthy Community, Citizens for Huerfano County, Clean Water Action Colorado, Erie Rising, Grassroots Energy Activist Network, Holy Terror Farm, San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council, SOS Foundation, Western Colorado Congress of Mesa County, Western Slope Conservation Center and Wilderness Workshop.

JStreet PAC endorsement

In 2024 JStreet PAC endorsed Matt Cartwright.

JStreet endorsement

The socialist infiltrated, anti-Israel "two state solution" JStreet PAC endorsed Matt Cartwright in his 2014 Congressional race.

JStreet endorsed him again 2016.

He is a rising star in the Democratic Party and outspoken supporter of Israel and US leadership to broker a two-state .

ARA endorsement, 2012

The Alliance for Retired Americans endorsed Matt Cartwright in 2012.

ARA PAF endorsement, 2014

The Alliance for Retired Americans Political Action Fund endorsed Matt Cartwright in 2014.

Condemning Criticism of Islam legislation

On December 17, 2015, Rep. Don Beyer, Jr. introduced legislation condemning "violence, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric towards Muslims in the United States." The legislation is based on unsourced claims that there is a "rise of hateful and anti-Muslim speech, violence, and cultural ignorance," and a "disproportionate targeting" of "Muslim women who wear hijabs, headscarves, or other religious articles of clothing...because of their religious clothing, articles, or observances." The resolution, H.Res.569 - Condemning violence, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric towards Muslims in the United States

The legislation was cosponsored by Rep. Michael Honda, Rep. Keith Ellison, Rep. Joseph Crowley, Rep. Andre Carson, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Rep. Betty McCollum, Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Rep. Dan Kildee, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Rep. Charles Rangel, Rep. Scott Peters, Rep. Brad Ashford, Rep. Alan Grayson, Rep. Mark Takai, Rep. Brian Higgins, Rep. William Keating, Rep. Raul Grijalva, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Rep. G.K. Butterfield, Rep. Gerry Connolly, Rep. Ruben Gallego, Rep. Cheri Bustos, Rep. John Delaney, Rep. Kathy Castor, Rep. Luis Gutierrez, Rep. Michael Quigley, Rep. Elizabeth Esty, Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, Rep. Robin Kelly, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Rep. Greg Meeks, Rep. Grace Meng, Rep. Al Green, Rep. Katherine Clark, Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Alcee Hastings, Rep. Sam Farr, Rep. Frank Pallone, Rep. Jim McDermott, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Donna Edwards, Rep. Robert Brady, Rep. Frederica Wilson, Rep. Michael Doyle, Rep. Albio Sires, Rep. Suzan DelBene, Rep. Judy Chu, Rep. Jared Polis, Rep. David Loebsack, Rep. Bill Pascrell, Rep. Debbie Dingell, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Rep. Steve Cohen, Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, Rep. John Yarmuth, Rep. Niki Tsongas, Rep. Jim Langevin, Rep. Mark Pocan, Rep. John Conyers, Jr., Rep. Mark Takano, Rep. Timothy J. Ryan, Rep. Jose Serrano, Rep. Hank Johnson, Rep. Paul Tonko, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Rep. Lois Capps, Rep. David Price, Rep. Doris Matsui, Rep. Gwen Moore, Rep. Denny Heck, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Rep. John Carney, Rep. Xavier Becerra, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Rep. John B. Larson, Rep. Dina Titus, Rep. Peter Welch, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Rep. Jim Himes, Rep. Matt Cartwright.

Letter with NIAC

Washington, D.C. – December 208, National Iranian American Council worked with Rep. Jared Huffman and a group of 13 lawmakers who sent a letter to the the State Department regarding the dire humanitarian impact of U.S. sanctions on the Iranian people. On February 15, the State Department sent its response to the lawmakers. Rep. Huffman’s letter requested responses on the following questions:

Is it a deliberate strategy of the Trump administration to starve the Iranian people or deprive them of basic medicines? If not, what substantive steps has the administration taken to ensure the Iranian people have continued access to life-saving medicines?

Which foreign nations have expressed concern about the humanitarian impact of U.S. sanctions on Iran, and what have they asked the administration to do to ensure the free flow of humanitarian goods to Iran?

According to a report in The Guardian, the United Kingdom, France and Germany have pushed both the State and Treasury Departments to produce a “white list” that would “give clear guidelines about what channels European banks and companies should follow to conduct legitimate transactions with Iran without fear of future penalties.” Has the State or Treasury Departments acted upon this proposal to establish a white channel to ensure the flow of humanitarian goods? If not, why not?

What additional measures have been contemplated to ensure the free flow of humanitarian goods to the Iranian people? If these were rejected, why were they rejected?

Are broader license authorizations or exemptions necessary to ensure the flow of humanitarian goods to Iran? If not, what is the evidence for this assessment?

Other signatories included Reps Barbara Lee, Mark Pocan, Bobby Rush, Ro Khanna, Jim McGovern, Tulsi Gabbard, Zoe Lofgren, Don Beyer, Mark DeSaulnier, Jan Schakowsky, Matt Cartwright, Earl Blumenauer, Anna Eshoo.

PFLP meeting

A group of Democratic lawmakers met with an alleged member of a terrorist organization during a trip funded by an anti-Israel nonprofit Spring 2016.

Seventy-one members of Congress were invited on the all-expenses-paid trip to east Jerusalem and Ramallah in the West Bank, but only five accepted: Illinois congressman Luis Gutierrez, Michigan congressman Dan Kildee, Wisconsin congressman Mark Pocan, Pennsylvania congressman Matt Cartwright, and Georgia congressman Hank Johnson.

According to the trip itinerary, the American lawmakers met on May 29 with Shawan Jabarin, an alleged long-time activist for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a designated terrorist organization that has engaged in suicide bombings, assassinations, and plane hijackings. Jabarin serves as director of the Palestinian human rights organization Al Haq, which advocates for economic boycotts of Israel and exploits courts to delegitimize the country, according to NGO Monitor, a pro-Israel watchdog.

The Israeli Supreme Court has described Jabarin as a "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, acting some of the time as the CEO of a human rights organization, and at other times as an activist in a terror organization which has not shied away from murder and attempted murder." Jabarin was found guilty of recruiting operatives on behalf of the PFLP in 1985 and has since been denied exit visas by Israel and Jordan.

The May trip also included meetings with Palestinian political and finance officials, including Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. The meeting with Jabarin featured a number of other officials from Palestinian nonprofits as well as the Palestinian minister for prisoner affairs.

The American Global Institute was another sponsor of the trip.

Medicare for All Act

In February 2019 Rep. Pramila Jayapal introduced H.R.1384 - Medicare for All Act of 2019. By May 29 she had 110 co-sponsors including Rep. Matt Cartwright.

External links

• Campaign Website

References

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