Good Public Policy Depends on Accurate Data

Floor Speech

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Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, good public policy depends on thorough and accurate data. That is why this week's ruling by District Judge Jesse Furman to block the administration from adding a citizenship question to the 2020 Census is so important to my district on the central coast and to our country.

The 2020 Census is more than just about where people live. It dictates how our many, many boundaries are drawn.

The Census is enshrined in our Constitution, and it is a bedrock responsibility of our government. But adding a citizenship question to the Census with this administration in charge may scare people from actually answering the questions, and that could result in inaccuracies that jeopardize the disbursement of over $700 billion in funding for essential services in our communities like roads, schools, and even nutrition assistance programs.

This decision by the Federal judge is very good news, but we must continue to work to live up to our responsibilities under the American Constitution, and we can do that with a 2020 Census that depicts a precise population count through accurate data, adequate area offices, and appropriate and acceptable questions that everybody in all communities can answer.

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