Census Bureau faces scrutiny over 2020 miscounts impacting federal funding and congressional seats
December 31, 2024 | Oversight and Reform: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation
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The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability convened on December 31, 2024, to discuss the oversight of the U.S. Census Bureau, focusing on the implications of the 2020 census miscounts and strategies for the upcoming 2030 census.
The meeting began with a request from a committee member to enter a 2022 Heritage Foundation report into the record, which detailed significant miscounts during the 2020 census. The report highlighted that these errors had substantial consequences, including distorted congressional representation and the misallocation of over $1.5 trillion in federal funding over the next decade. The committee member emphasized that states with overcounts benefited disproportionately compared to those that were undercounted.
The discussion then shifted to the specific discrepancies identified in the 2020 census, particularly the overcounts in states like New York and undercounts in Texas. The Census Bureau's Director was questioned about the factors contributing to these discrepancies, noting that higher concentrations of Latino and African American populations in undercounted states played a role. The Director acknowledged that while miscounts have always occurred, the errors in 2020 were comparable to previous censuses.
The committee expressed concern over the financial implications of these miscounts, particularly regarding the $1.5 trillion in federal funds that could be misallocated. The Director explained that the Census Bureau is actively working to address these issues by utilizing post enumeration surveys and demographic analyses to better understand the counting challenges. However, he cautioned that these methods also have their own limitations and error margins.
The conversation further explored the impact of the 2020 census miscounts on congressional apportionment, confirming that the inaccuracies affected how many congressional seats states received. The Director affirmed that the Census Bureau is committed to preventing similar errors in the 2030 census by identifying populations that were difficult to count and developing targeted methodologies to improve participation.
In conclusion, the meeting underscored the critical need for accurate census data and the ongoing efforts by the Census Bureau to enhance counting methods in preparation for the next census. The committee's discussions highlighted the importance of addressing trust issues within local communities to ensure a more accurate count in the future.
The meeting began with a request from a committee member to enter a 2022 Heritage Foundation report into the record, which detailed significant miscounts during the 2020 census. The report highlighted that these errors had substantial consequences, including distorted congressional representation and the misallocation of over $1.5 trillion in federal funding over the next decade. The committee member emphasized that states with overcounts benefited disproportionately compared to those that were undercounted.
The discussion then shifted to the specific discrepancies identified in the 2020 census, particularly the overcounts in states like New York and undercounts in Texas. The Census Bureau's Director was questioned about the factors contributing to these discrepancies, noting that higher concentrations of Latino and African American populations in undercounted states played a role. The Director acknowledged that while miscounts have always occurred, the errors in 2020 were comparable to previous censuses.
The committee expressed concern over the financial implications of these miscounts, particularly regarding the $1.5 trillion in federal funds that could be misallocated. The Director explained that the Census Bureau is actively working to address these issues by utilizing post enumeration surveys and demographic analyses to better understand the counting challenges. However, he cautioned that these methods also have their own limitations and error margins.
The conversation further explored the impact of the 2020 census miscounts on congressional apportionment, confirming that the inaccuracies affected how many congressional seats states received. The Director affirmed that the Census Bureau is committed to preventing similar errors in the 2030 census by identifying populations that were difficult to count and developing targeted methodologies to improve participation.
In conclusion, the meeting underscored the critical need for accurate census data and the ongoing efforts by the Census Bureau to enhance counting methods in preparation for the next census. The committee's discussions highlighted the importance of addressing trust issues within local communities to ensure a more accurate count in the future.
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