[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 10 (Thursday, January 17, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              GOOD PUBLIC POLICY DEPENDS ON ACCURATE DATA

  (Mr. PANETTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, good public policy depends on thorough 
and accurate data. That is why this week's ruling by District Judge 
Jesse Furman to block the administration from adding a citizenship 
question to the 2020 Census is so important to my district on the 
central coast and to our country.
  The 2020 Census is more than just about where people live. It 
dictates how our many, many boundaries are drawn.
  The Census is enshrined in our Constitution, and it is a bedrock 
responsibility of our government. But adding a citizenship question to 
the Census with this administration in charge may scare people from 
actually answering the questions, and that could result in inaccuracies 
that jeopardize the disbursement of over $700 billion in funding for 
essential services in our communities like roads, schools, and even 
nutrition assistance programs.
  This decision by the Federal judge is very good news, but we must 
continue to work to live up to our responsibilities under the American 
Constitution, and we can do that with a 2020 Census that depicts a 
precise population count through accurate data, adequate area offices, 
and appropriate and acceptable questions that everybody in all 
communities can answer.

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