Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (D-NY), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks at the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee's oversight hearing on 2020 Census preparation:
Thank you, Chairman Serrano and Ranking Member Aderholt, for holding this important hearing. While I was disappointed that Secretary Ross refused to testify before the subcommittee earlier, I am pleased to have these esteemed witnesses before us today.
The 2020 Census is a serious constitutional obligation that must be adequately funded and free of partisan interference. The 2020 count will shape how federal dollars are shared nationwide for the next decade. That means it determines how much each community receives for schools, roads, health care, and other public services that our constituents rely on daily.
Unfortunately, this administration is playing political football with this fundamental function of our government. We know that certain hard-to-reach populations are much more difficult to count than others. Those groups are vulnerable to underestimation. My home state of New York has a number of people who are frequently undercounted, such as African Americans, foreign-born residents, and Latinos. Part of the beauty of New York is our diversity, and we must do everything we can to ensure an accurate Census count. Underfunding the Census puts New York communities that need funding most at risk of losing more than $73.3 billion.
On top of funding issues associated with the Census, this administration’s decision to include the citizenship question is highly offensive and, as multiple federal courts have held, unconstitutional. It is an unnecessary addition and a clear attack on immigrant and other minority communities. It must be stopped.
Congress and this committee should work together with the Census Bureau to protect our most vulnerable communities. I look forward to a productive discussion today that highlights ways we can preserve the sanctity of our democracy and best represent our constituents. Thank you.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
