Census Reform Bill Clears Senate

In a news release, LV Congressman Charlie Dent applauds Wednesday’s Senate passage of legislation he authored with Sen. Tom Coburn (OK), Sen. Tom Carper (DE), and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (NY-14) to reform the management of the U.S. Census.

This Census Reform sets a five-year term for the Census Bureau Director, who would report directly to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. It increases a Director's independence by allowing the submission of his or her own opinion in testimony to Congress, even when it differs from that of the Administration. Additionally, the legislation grants the Director authority over all personnel and activities within the Bureau, and the ability to establish advisory committees to develop recommendations for improvement.

“I am pleased the U.S. Senate unanimously passed this important legislation. The American people expect Congress to improve the efficiency and accountability of government through common sense bipartisan reforms like this,” Dent said in a news release. “Modernization of the Census is long overdue and our legislation will ensure future counts are fair, accurate and free from political bias.”

"It's bipartisan, it's good government, it's scientific independence, it’s good management, and it's about time," Maloney added. “This important reform ensures consistent professional management of this major scientific agency, and minimizes political interference of its vital Constitutional mission. I’m grateful to Senators Carper and Coburn for their bipartisan leadership this issue in the Senate. Now we in the House must commit to forward thinking to avoid problems in the run up 2020 census.”

The bill is strongly supported by all seven former census directors who served in Republican and Democratic administrations, and has garnered praise from scientific, and advocacy groups.

Do We Need Census Reform, Too?

At the one and only Tea Party meeting I attended, an attractive mother was given the floor to deride the upcoming census, warning that we'll be asked personal questions about how many flush toilets we have, as well as the names and ages of our children. Similar objections are raised by The New American. Libertarians, shrieking that we'll all be asked whether we have trouble "learning, remembering or concentrating," are urging an outright boycott.

Well, since that time, I received my form, which took about two minutes to complete. If I was asked whether I have problems remembering things, I must have forgotten.

Having voted for Obama, I must have received the short form.

Congress is specifically directed to do a head count every ten years, in "such manner as they shall by Law direct" (Article I, Section 2).

LV Congressman Charlie Dent has agreed to co-sponsor the “Census Oversight Efficiency and Management Reform Act,” a piece of bipartisan legislation designed to help prevent operational problems that have emerged on the eve of the censuses in 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2010, in part from a lack of steady leadership and management due to changes in Presidential administrations.

All seven living former Directors of the U.S. Census Bureau, including those who served under both Republican and Democratic Administrations, have endorsed this overhaul. Census Directors include Vincent P. Barabba (1973-1976; 1979–1981), John G. Keane (1984-1989), Barbara Everitt Bryant (1989–1993), Martha Farnsworth Riche (1994-1998), Kenneth Prewitt (1998–2001), Charles Louis Kincannon (2002-2008), and Steven H. Murdock (2008-2009).

In a news release about this bipartisan bill, Dent stated, “The Constitutional duty of the United States Census Bureau is primarily a scientific one. Successfully enumerating a population as large and diverse as ours is a difficult but critical task, one which must not be tainted by partisan politics. It is vital that the work of dedicated Census Bureau employees is not affected by whichever party controls the White House. The bipartisan Census Oversight Efficiency and Management Reform Act will provide greater transparency and accountability to ensure that the Census Bureau has the resources to provide a count that is truly fair and accurate.”