Carper, Coons, Bipartisan Group of Colleagues Recognize Critical Role of Census, Importance of Full and Accurate Count

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) joined Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and 39 of their Senate colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution to ensure the 2020 Census is fair and accurate. The resolution encourages individuals, families, and households across the United States to take part in the Census so that all communities can be counted.

“Getting an accurate census count is critical to our country’s economy and our democracy,” said Senator Carper. “In the First State,  for each person uncounted we lose more than $2,000 in annual federal funding. In order for our government and the businesses that drive our economy to work for Delawareans and Americans across the country, it’s imperative that we have a full and accurate count of those we serve. I’m pleased to be joining over 40 of my Senate colleagues in recognizing the importance of the 2020 Census and will continue working with both Republicans and Democrats to ensure a fair and complete count because our communities and businesses depend on it.”

“Ensuring that the 2020 Census is fair and accurate will make a real difference for Delaware,” said Senator Coons. “It’s only with unbiased, accurate census data that we can ensure we’re making smart, targeted decisions about how to make federal investments in our communities, from transportation infrastructure to locating schools, hospitals, emergency response operations, and more.  This isn’t about politics, this is about good government, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in fighting for a fair, accurate census in 2020.”

The 2020 Census is a constitutionally mandated undertaking. The data collected is used to properly allocate seats for the U.S. House of Representatives and state legislatures. It also directs more than $800 billion annually in federal funding to state and local communities.

The resolution recognizes the importance and significance of the 2020 Census and encourages all people to participate. It concludes that it is the civic duty of every person to ensure that the 2020 Census is as accurate as possible.

Senators Carper, Coons, Schatz and Murkowski were joined by Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D- Hawai‘i), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

The resolution is supported by a number of organizations including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, National the Association of Towns and Townships, the Census Project, NAACP, NALEO Educational Fund, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, National Congress of American Indians, Service Employees International Union, National Education Association, Nielsen, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and Google.

For a PDF copy of the resolution, click here.