Washington, D.C. (Jan. 10, 2020)— Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, held a hearing entitled, “Reaching Hard-to-Count Communities in the 2020 Census.”

TAKEAWAYS

Expert witnesses testified that minority and immigrant communities, as well as rural communities with limited Internet access, are at serious risk of being undercounted in the 2020 Census, jeopardizing their accurate representation in Congress and access to federal funds.

Today’s hearing revealed concern that the Census Bureau has fallen behind its own targets for hiring census workers to reach hard-to-count communities and for hiring partnership specialists who serve as critical liaisons with these communities.

Witnesses emphasized that the Census Bureau must work closely with local communities to ensure an accurate count, including by addressing fears caused by the Trump Administration’s immigration policies and the failed attempt to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census.

Chairwoman Maloney announced that on February 12 the Director of the Census Bureau, Dr. Steven Dillingham, will be appearing before this Committee to answer questions about how the Bureau is responding to the many challenges outlined today.

WITNESS

Vanita Gupta

President and Chief Executive Officer

The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights

John Yang

President and Executive Director

Asian Americans Advancing Justice

Arturo Vargas

Chief Executive Officer

NALEO Educational Fund

Kevin J. Allis

Chief Executive Officer

National Congress of American Indians

Marc Morial

President and Chief Executive Officer

National Urban League

Darrell Moore

Executive Director, Center for South Georgia Regional Impact

Valdosta State University

VIDEOS

Watch Chairwoman Maloney’s opening statement.

Watch Chairwoman Maloney’s question line.

Watch Rep. Holmes Norton’s question line.

Watch Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s question line.

Watch Rep. Gomez’s question line.

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