Sen. Schatz Introduces Bill to Prevent Politicization of Future Census Counts

Today Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Census FACTS Act to ensure that future censuses do not see the unprecedented level of political malfeasance and politicalization that plagued the 2020 Census count. 

The Census Federal Advisory Committee on Transparency and Standards (Census FACTS) Act charges Congress and President Biden to create an expert, nonpartisan committee to identify the specific problems encountered during the 2020 Census — including political interference by the Trump Administration; the COVID-19 pandemic; and the level of transparency, public participation, and responsiveness on the part of the Census Bureau in making its policy decisions. In highlighting these problems and making recommendations to fix them, the committee established by the Census FACTS Act would help to restore the public confidence in the Census Bureau. Separately, the bill also clarifies the Reapportionment Act of 1929 to ensure that total population is used in Congressional redistricting.

Statement of Keshia Morris Desir, Common Cause Census and Mass Incarceration Project Manager

The census plays a vital role in the health and wealth of our democracy and it must never be politicized. It is critical that we identify the attempts by the Trump administration to manipulate the Census for partisan political gain, and that we put in place safeguards to ensure nothing similar is ever allowed to happen again. It is crucial that we have a transparent and accurate count of everyone in the United States each decade as our Constitution requires. When our neighbors aren’t represented and included in all counts, entire communities lose out on funding for hospitals, schools, roads, and the representation that they deserve. We thank Senator Schatz for his continued leadership to help ensure all Americans are counted and can have their voices heard.

To view the bill, click here.