[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CALL FOR CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION INTO WHITE HOUSE POLITICIZATION OF 
                           THE CENSUS BUREAU

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                         HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN

                                   of

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 13, 2009

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, yesterday we learned of two important 
developments as the White House plans to grab control of the day-to-day 
management of the U.S. Census Bureau: (1) The U.S. Senate's chief 
committee on government oversight scheduled its first hearing of the 
year to investigate the matter; (2) Senator Gregg withdrew his name for 
the consideration of the Commerce Secretary position, citing 
``irreconcilable difference'' with the President on the future of the 
U.S. Census.
  These developments solidify what we already know: a political grab of 
the Census will jeopardize the non-partisan operations of the Bureau, 
and potentially disrupt the completion of a competent, reliable census.
  My Republican colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee 
unanimously joined my call for an oversight hearing in the House. The 
Senate has heard our call. What do House Democrats have to hide? 
Americans deserve a non-partisan and accurate census, not one driven by 
partisan politics. Let's hold a hearing and ensure that we give them 
that.

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