It has taken the bureau ten years of careful planning and preparation to make this census successful, but there is still much more work to be done. The census begins in january of 2020 in remote alaska and then in march everywhere else and between now and then the bureau has to finalize its communications campaign, conduct Robust Community outreach, finish hiring trusted local staff and perform final testing for dozens of critical i. T. Systems. As outlined in our constitution, the purpose of the census is to count every person in the country, but given the chaos and the confusion and the administration has generated as a result to include an untested citizenship question, the bureau has significant work to do to restore public trust in the census and to ensure that the Response Rates do not decline as a result. We need to make sure that everyone is able to respond to the census though the new online form or in whatever way they can including people without good internet access. People
Witness estimates with senator peters. Thank you, mr. Chairman. The 2020 census will serve as a road map for the next decade, determining how billions of dollars of federal resources and representation will be divided among the states and it will undoubtedly impact every community in america and every person must be counted. An accurate count isnt just about understanding how many people live in our country. This is about ensuring that communities across america have access to the resources that they need to grow and to succeed. Public Health Officials use census data to direct resources to combatting the Opioid Crisis and other health emergencies. First responders and Disaster Relief agencies used this data to determine where they should direct Emergency Response efforts. Local businesses also use census data to help decide where to invest in new factories and stores and in my home state of michigan, 29 billion in annual federal funding is on the line. For every person not counted, mi
Years. And that the census count every erson, a full, fair, and accurate account is critical to ensuring that we properly allocate federal funding and congressional apportionment. I do not take this decision lightly. Holding any secretary in criminal contempt of congress is serious and sober matter. One that i have done everything in my power to avoid. But in the case of the attorney general and the secretary, secretary ross, they blatantly obstructed our ability to do congressional oversight into the real reason secretary ross was trying for the first time in 70 a rs, in 70 years to add Citizenship Question to the 2020 census. Secretary ross testified under oath that he added a citizenship estion, and i quote, solely, wants to concentrate on that word, solely to help the Justice Department enforce the Voting Rights act. We now know that claim was nothing but a pretext. Do not take my word for that, madam speaker. The Supreme Court said that. Our committees investigation uncovered evid
Allocate federal funding and congressional apportionment. I do not take this decision lightly. Holding any secretary in criminal contempt of congress is serious and sober matter. One that i have done everything in my power to avoid. But in the case of the attorney general and the secretary, secretary ross, they blatantly obstructed our ability to do congressional oversight into the real reason secretary ross was trying for the first time in 70 a rs, in 70 years to add Citizenship Question to the 2020 census. Secretary ross testified under oath that he added a citizenship estion, and i quote, solely, wants to concentrate on that word, solely to help the Justice Department enforce the Voting Rights act. We now know that claim was nothing but a pretext. Do not take my word for that, madam speaker. The Supreme Court said that. Our committees investigation uncovered evidence that secretary ross launched a secret campaign to add the Citizenship Question within days of assuming his post. We l
Campaigns with social media and undercut risks. The Senate Homeland security and Governmental Affairs Committee Hearing is one hour and 45 minutes. I want to welcome our witnesses and im hoping the separation between the witnesses doesnt indicate anything here. I will enter the record and get right to the Ranking Member to the witness testimony. Thank you mr. Chairman. The 2,020t 2,020th and this wile as a roadmap for the next decade determining how billions of dollars of federal resources and congressional representation will be divided among the states and the results of this we all undoubtedly impact every community in america and every person must be counted. The account isnt just about understanding how many people live in our country, this is about ensuring that the Community Across america has access to the resources that they need to grow and succeed. These resources to combating the Opioid Crisis and other health emergencies. First responders and Disaster Relief agencies where