[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 83 (Friday, May 30, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E879-E880]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2015

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 29, 2014

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4660) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, 
     Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 2015, and for other purposes:

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition 
to the amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas.
  As a longtime supporter of the Census Bureau's work and the American 
Community Survey, I urge the Committee to keep this survey as current 
law provides.
  The ACS is a vital resource for all of us in Congress, the federal 
agencies, and private businesses.
  The accurate, timely data collected through this survey is the basis 
for over $415 billion allocated by the federal government to states and 
localities--over two-thirds of all federal grant funding.
  Accurate data ensures that these federal dollars go where they are 
needed--and where Congress intended. This amendment would undermine the 
accuracy of the ACS and deprive our agencies of this vital information.
  But it's not just government. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its 
members know the value of census data. The Chamber stated that ``ACS 
data points are critical for business decision-making and long range 
planning.''
  Businesses from restaurants, to retailers, to developers know that 
accurate information about our population is critical for their 
marketing and expansion activity. This amendment would remove a crucial 
recourse that helps businesses expand and create jobs.
  What's more, we know what would happen if this amendment passes.
  In 2003, the Census Bureau tested a voluntary ACS to disastrous 
results. Response rates plummeted by at least 20 percent, and

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in 2012, the Bureau estimated that a voluntary survey maintaining the 
current reliability would cost taxpayers an additional $120 million 
each year.
  A voluntary response survey would especially undermine our 
information about rural areas and low-income households. The Census 
Project estimates that with the change proposed by this amendment, the 
Bureau could not publish data for up to 40 percent of all counties in 
the country.
  Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to look beyond the quick headline or 
talking point, and truly understand the importance of the American 
Community Survey.
  For policymakers, for researchers, for businesses--this data set 
helps answer our most pressing questions.
  This misguided amendment will undermine the ACS and deprive all 
Americans of this critically important information.

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