releases: https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-demands-us-census-bureau-answer-questions-about-preparation-to
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-demands-us-census-bureau-answer-questions-about-preparation-to | Norton Demands U.S. Census Bureau Answer Questions About Preparation to Fully Count D.C. Residents, Especially Spanish Speakers, in 2020 Census | 2020-08-14 | 2020 | 2020-08 | Democrat | House | DC | Eleanor Norton | N000147 | norton.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, which has jurisdiction over the Census Bureau and the 2020 Census, today sent a letter to United States Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham asking a series of questions about an evident lack of Spanish-speaking staff to help District of Columbia residents fill out the Census. The Census Bureau has repeatedly showed that it is trying to avoid its mandate to ensure that everyone is counted in this Census, Norton said. Our area must have Spanish-speaking enumerators and other staff to help our large Spanish-speaking population fill out the Census and be counted. It is unacceptable and indeed unconstitutional to deliberately fail to count minorities. Previously, the Trump Administration fought to add an unnecessary question to the Census about an individual's citizenship status, which would have driven down responses from immigrants.Norton introduced legislation, the Ensuring Full Participation in the Census Act (H.R. 1734), to prohibit the Census Bureau from asking the question about citizenship status. The Administration has since abandoned its effort to ask this question after losing a lawsuit on the issue in the Supreme Court. Norton's letter follows. August 14, 2020 The Honorable Steven Dillingham Director United States Census Bureau 4600 Silver Hill Road Washington, DC 20233 Dear Director Dillingham: As a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, which has jurisdiction over the Census Bureau and the 2020 Census, I write to express grave concern regarding the apparent lack of Spanish-speaking enumerators and Mobile Questionnaire Assistance (MQA) staff in the District of Columbia. We understand from conversations with the relevant staff in the D.C. Mayor's office that there are no or, at best, virtually no Spanish-speaking enumerators or MQA staff in D.C.This is unacceptable.I ask that you provide written responses to the following questions by Friday, August 21, 2020. How many MQA staff are assigned to D.C.?How may are Spanish speakers? How many enumerators are assigned to D.C.?How many are Spanish speakers? How many enumerators were assigned to D.C. for the 2010 Census?How many of those were Spanish speakers? How many MQA staff were assigned to D.C. for the 2010 Census?How many of those were Spanish speakers? How many overall Census staff are assigned to count D.C. residents? How many overall Census staff assigned to count D.C. residents are Spanish speakers? Are you planning on hiring more Spanish-speaking MQA staff or enumerators in D.C.?If so, when will they be able to start after their training and how will they be beneficial considering the deadline you established to finish the Census is quickly approaching? I understand that D.C. government staff who are working to help with the Census have had very little communication from the Census Bureau's D.C. field office.I know that you are well aware of the importance of communication between local governments and Census field staff.This situation must be improved.I also understand that hiring for Census field staff is progressing at a much slower rate than it did 10 years ago, despite the increased difficulties with this Census given the coronavirus.With your problematic decision to end all datacollection on September 30, 2020, instead of October 31, 2020, it is more imperative than ever that these issues be resolved so that there can be a complete and accurate count. Sincerely, Eleanor Holmes Norton ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |