[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 17527-17532]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           EXECUTIVE SESSION

                                 ______
                                 

      NOMINATION OF ROBERT M. GROVES TO BE DIRECTOR OF THE CENSUS

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will 
proceed to executive session to consider the following nomination which 
the clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read the nomination of Robert M. Groves, of 
Michigan, to be Director of the Census.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, there will now be 1 
hour of debate prior to a vote on the motion to invoke cloture.
  Who yields time?
  The Senator from Louisiana is recognized.
  Mr. VITTER. Madam President, I rise to oppose cloture on the 
nomination of Robert Groves to be Census Director.
  As we all know, the 2010 Census is right around the corner. This is a 
very important process that should not be taken lightly. The census, of 
course, is an official count of the country's population mandated by 
the U.S. Constitution, and it is used to determine distribution of 
taxpayer money through grants and appropriations and the apportionment 
of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives.
  Every U.S. household unit, including those occupied by noncitizens 
and illegal immigrants, must be counted. We must take every effort to 
make this a fair and accurate census that is not skewed in any way by 
political influence or using poor statistical material. With that in 
mind, I have very serious concerns about some of the administration's 
plans for the census, particularly with regard to ACORN, the 
Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.
  ACORN signed up in February 2009 to assist the U.S. Census Bureau as 
a national partner, and they signed up specifically to help recruit 1.4 
million temporary workers needed to go door-to-door to count every 
person in the United States. So they are a ``2010 census partner''--an 
official census partner given this delineation by the U.S. Census 
Bureau. There was a very full report on this by the Wall Street Journal 
just last month, in June of this year. I have very serious concerns 
about this.
  As did Senator Shelby, I wrote the administration asking for 
assurances that ACORN would have no role whatsoever in the Census. I 
believe Senator Shelby originally wrote his letter in March. I sent my 
letter in early June. Today we have gotten absolutely no response.
  Let me remind my colleagues why this should be a very serious concern 
for all of us. And we don't have to look far in terms of history to 
understand these concerns; the last election cycle will do. In May 
2009, Nevada filed charges against ACORN. The complaint includes 26 
counts of voter fraud and 13 counts for compensating those registering 
voters, both felonies. From July 27 through October 2 of 2008, ACORN in 
Nevada also provided additional compensation under a bonus program 
called Blackjack or 21-Plus that was based on the total number of 
voters a person registered. A canvasser who brought in 21 or more 
completed voter registration forms per shift would be paid a bonus of 
$5.
  There are other serious complaints that have been made against ACORN. 
In March 2008, an ACORN worker in Pennsylvania was sentenced for making 
29 phony voter registration forms. In 2007, Washington State filed 
felony charges against several paid ACORN employees and supervisors for 
more than 1,700 fraudulent voter registrations.
  I think it is fair to say the American public does have strong 
concerns about ACORN because of this long history of voter registration 
and voter fraud. So why should this organization be signed up as an 
official 2010 census partner to do exactly the sort of activity of 
listing people, signing up people as they did fraudulently with regard 
to voter registration?
  Again, this is very worrisome. What is even more worrisome is that 
for months, these clear concerns have been brought before the Obama 
administration, and the administration has done absolutely nothing to 
dispel these very deep and very legitimate concerns. Again, my 
colleague, Senator Shelby, who will be speaking in a moment, sent his 
letter in March of this year outlining these strong concerns, asking 
the administration to state categorically that ACORN would have nothing 
to do with the census. I sent a similar followup letter in June of this 
year. To date, we have gotten no response.
  As it stands now, we are going to sign up ACORN to do exactly the 
sort of activity they have done over and over and over again 
fraudulently, illegally, with regard to voter registration. It is 
outrageous when so much is on the line with this next very important 
census.
  For these reasons, I will strongly oppose this cloture vote for the 
census nominee. I continue to urge the administration to assure us that 
ACORN will have nothing to do with the process, after they have built 
up a long and storied record, unfortunately, of fraud with regard to 
similar activity in terms of voter registration.
  I thank the Chair. I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alabama.

[[Page 17528]]


  Mr. SHELBY. Madam President, I rise with concern regarding the 
nomination of Mr. Robert Groves to serve as Director of the Census. I 
have some of the same concerns my colleague from Louisiana has.
  Conducting the census is a vital constitutional obligation. Under the 
U.S. Constitution, the country conducts a census every 10 years to 
determine apportionment to Congress. Article I, section 2 of the 
Constitution mandates ``enumeration'' to determine the allocation of 
seats for each State in the U.S. House of Representatives, as the Chair 
well knows. By extension, the census also determines the composition of 
the electoral college which chooses the President of the United States. 
The information collected from the census has a significant impact on 
the distribution of political power in this country.
  The results of this process are a major factor in deciding where 
congressional district lines are drawn within each State. Through 
redistricting, political parties can maximize their own party's clout, 
while minimizing the opposition. If the census were politicized, the 
party in control could arguably perpetuate its hold on political power.
  The results of the census are also enormously important in another 
way--the allocation of Federal funds. Theoretically, if the census were 
to become politicized, the political party controlling the census 
process could disproportionately steer Federal funding to areas 
dominated by its own Members through a skewing of census numbers. This 
could shift billions of Federal dollars for roads, schools, and 
hospitals over the next 10 years from some parts of the country to 
others because of the population-driven financing formula.
  The census is vastly important and must proceed in as reliable and 
accurate a manner as possible.
  On March 20 of this year, I wrote to President Obama regarding 
reports that the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now 
known as ACORN--that is what they go by--has signed as a national 
partner with the U.S. Census Bureau to assist with recruiting temporary 
census workers. I wish to say this again because it was disturbing to 
me: On March 20, I wrote to President Obama regarding reports that the 
Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now--ACORN--had 
signed as a national partner with the U.S. Census Bureau to assist the 
census with recruiting temporary Census workers. That letter remains 
unanswered.
  I cannot support the nomination of Mr. Groves when the administration 
he works for would partner with such a questionable organization as 
ACORN.
  Further, I am dismayed that Mr. Groves, the nominee to head the U.S. 
Census Bureau, would not denounce ACORN's role in the census. Let me 
tell my colleagues a little about ACORN, as I understand it.
  ACORN has had numerous allegations of fraud which should raise great 
concern about the accuracy of the data it would provide to the census. 
For example, Washington State filed felony charges in 2007 against 
several paid ACORN employees and supervisors for falsifying 1,700 
fraudulent voter registration cards. An ACORN worker in the State of 
Pennsylvania was sentenced in 2008 for fabricating 29 falsified voter 
registration forms. In Ohio, in 2004, a worker for one affiliate of 
ACORN was given crack cocaine in exchange for fraudulent registrations 
that included underaged as well as dead voters. ACORN has been 
implicated in similar voter registration schemes around the country, 
and its activities were frequently questioned throughout the 2008 
Presidential election.
  I believe the census must be nonpartisan. It must be totally above 
reproach. It must be honest. We cannot allow a biased, politically 
active organization to take any type of official role in the process, 
let alone recruit workers for the census. While overcounting here and 
undercounting there, manipulation could take place solely for political 
gain. Using ACORN to mobilize hundreds of thousands of temporary 
workers can surely lead to abuses for those who want to gain political 
advantage, as we saw with the voter registration issues in past 
elections.
  The laws that govern voter fraud were not enough to dissuade those 
with the intent to throw an election. It is doubtful the laws governing 
fraud in the census will be any more effective against such deceitful 
intents.
  The people of this Nation deserve a census that is conducted in a 
fair and accurate manner, using the best methods to determine the 
outcome, and that is free from political tampering. Given ACORN's 
history and political connections, the U.S. Census Bureau should not 
partner with an organization that has systemic problems with both 
accuracy and legitimacy.
  While I cannot support Mr. Groves' nomination, I hope he will 
carefully review this issue and terminate ACORN's role in the 2010 
census. It would be a big first step for him. We must not let the 
census become a blatant political tool in this country.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Delaware.
  Mr. CARPER. Madam President, this is not about ACORN. ACORN is not 
going to be hired or out there recruiting folks to go door-to-door to 
do the enumeration for the census. ACORN isn't going to be out there 
getting any money or grants. In fact, no Census Bureau partners are 
receiving money or grants, and ACORN is no exception. As the Census 
Bureau has reiterated, ACORN is actually one of thousands of 
organizations whose purpose in this whole matter is to try to encourage 
people to respond to the census. That is what they are about, trying to 
make sure people respond to the census.
  Right here is a copy of the Constitution that lays out one of the few 
responsibilities we have as a Federal Government. It is actually 
spelled out in the Constitution and says we are expected to do this. 
Every 10 years, we are supposed to conduct the census. It says we are 
supposed to count everybody. We are supposed to count everybody. Just 
as a ship needs a good captain, a school needs a good principal, the 
country needs a good President, the Census Bureau needs a good 
Director.
  We have been 7 months without a Census Bureau Director. The Census 
Bureau is supposed to turn a light switch on next April 1 and do the 
census. It is a big deal. Hundreds of thousands of people are involved, 
years of effort, in making sure we count everybody as closely or as 
nearly as we can and in a cost-effective way. It is a constitutional 
requirement.
  Gary Locke, Governor of Washington, was nominated to be Secretary of 
Commerce, and the census falls within the Commerce Department. I ran 
into him the day after, I think, his name was put out for nominee from 
Commerce, and I said: I have three things I want you to think about: 
(1) the Census Bureau Director; (2) the Census Bureau Director; and (3) 
the Census Bureau Director. I told him: We don't have anybody, and if 
you have any names of folks you think would be good, let us have them.
  Ironically, a week or so later, I held a subcommittee hearing focused 
on the census, getting ready for April of 2010--without a Bureau 
Director. We had before us that day folks who were involved in the 
census in 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2000. At the end of the hearing, I said 
we need somebody really good to run this operation. Dr. Murdock had 
been the Census Bureau Director the previous year. He was only with us 
for a year, but I said we need somebody that good or even better. I 
said: By the close of this week, I want each of you to give me one or 
two names of who you think would be a terrific Director for the Census 
Bureau. Guess whose name I got back from almost every one of the 
witnesses. Robert Groves.
  Dr. Groves, in my view, is an inspired choice for this position. His 
extensive expertise in statistics, social research and survey 
methodology, and the administration of large-scale surveys makes him 
ideally suited for this position. He served once as the Associate 
Director for the Census Bureau, I think about 10 years ago. Dr. Groves 
knows how it operates. He has been involved in the census. He knows 
what the employees need, and he will be able to

[[Page 17529]]

successfully implement the census and other programs. Those experiences 
have prepared him extraordinarily well to lead the census at a time 
when rapid changes are occurring.
  He elevated the University of Michigan's survey research 
organization. I am an Ohio State undergraduate, and I am raising the 
flag and promoting a fellow from Michigan, so you know he has to be 
good for me to do that. I said to my colleagues on this floor that we 
are lucky to have somebody this good and willing at this late stage to 
lead us into doing a great job on the census. Numerous Federal and 
State agencies and policymakers have sought his expertise on survey 
design and response.
  Dr. Groves has been accessible to Senators and our staffs throughout 
this process. Requests to meet with Dr. Groves were extended to every 
member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in 
the Senate. He also met with every Senator, as far as I know, who 
requested a meeting, regardless of committee assignment. Dr. Groves 
received two questions for the record after his hearing. They were 
answered within hours--not days or weeks--of the hearing's end. Every 
Senator who agreed to meet with Dr. Groves, Republican and Democrat 
alike, decided to support him.
  Dr. Groves--or whoever will be our next Census Bureau Director, and I 
hope it will be he--will undoubtedly face a host of operational and 
management challenges as we move closer to the 2010 census. I am 
confident he is extraordinarily well equipped to understand the 
agency's inner workings, to lead his staff, and to be a national 
spokesman for the 2010 census and the agency's other equally ongoing 
survey programs.
  Somewhere here, I have some questions that were asked of him at our 
hearing. Let's see if I can find one of them. I know this has been 
mentioned on the floor.
  I see Senator Collins, who is the ranking Republican on the 
committee. I think it might have been Senator Collins who actually 
questioned Dr. Groves about sampling and whether we are going to just 
sample as opposed to actually counting people and making sure things 
are right. The Census Bureau has been very clear that it will not 
adjust the 2010 census counts. The plans and designs for the 2010 
census have been in place for nearly a decade. The operations are 
already underway. The Bureau began to address canvassing this spring, 
which is finding out all of the addresses--not necessarily who lives 
there but the addresses--and try to automate that. The Secretary of 
Commerce reiterated that sampling is not included in the design for the 
2010 census. It couldn't be even if we wanted it to be. At this late 
stage of the game, not only do we not want it to be, but it couldn't 
be.
  As to what 2020 will bring or need, it is too early to tell. First, 
until we know how we are going to perform in 2010, what works best, and 
where we can improve, we cannot begin to dictate the design of the 2020 
census; neither should we attempt to prescribe for the future in the 
Congress and in the scientific community that which we cannot, frankly, 
foresee.
  How much time have I consumed?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has consumed 7 minutes.
  Mr. CARPER. I will reserve the remainder of my time. I thank the 
Chair.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I rise in support of the nomination of 
Dr. Robert Groves to be the next Director of the Census Bureau. Our 
committee, the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, 
scrutinized this nominee very carefully. First, I wish to give some 
background on why it is so critical that we have a well-qualified 
individual heading the Census Bureau as quickly as possible and then 
talk to my colleagues about why I believe Dr. Groves is, indeed, the 
right person for that critical position.
  With the 2010 census fast approaching, the Director of the Census 
Bureau will need to quickly take action to ensure an accurate, actual 
enumeration of all those residing in the United States, as set forth 
and required by our Constitution.
  The decennial census is a complex and extensive operation. The 
information collected has significant impact on the distribution of 
political power because, after all, it governs the allocation of seats 
in the House of Representatives and it also affects the allocation of 
more than $300 billion in Federal resources. With so much at stake, it 
is essential that the results of the census be accurate, objective, 
credible, and free from even the appearance of political influence.
  The Census Bureau, unfortunately, faces significant operational and 
organizational challenges. Bureau officials acknowledged in 2008 that 
they were experiencing critical problems in the management and testing 
of key information technology systems.
  Due to the leadership and investigative work of Senator Carper and 
Senator Coburn, our committee held numerous hearings looking at the 
failed procurements of the Census Bureau. Believe me, it has not been a 
pretty picture. These problems have resulted in a dramatic increase in 
the cost of the 2010 census, and it is particularly alarming in this 
day and age of technology that millions of dollars invested by the 
Census Bureau in handheld computers have gone to waste. The Bureau, in 
fact, has once again returned to the use of paper and pencil to gather 
important data. Isn't that extraordinary in this day and age? It is 
clear there are woefully inadequate and wasteful procurement practices 
and even gross mismanagement at the Bureau. We simply cannot afford to 
waste time and money on critical programs that do not produce results, 
particularly when it comes to a constitutionally mandated task such as 
the census.
  The next Director of the Census Bureau must take steps right now to 
address the current shortcomings and to prepare for the current and 
future census challenges. He will be responsible for ensuring that the 
Bureau fulfills its mission in accordance with the U.S. Constitution, 
without undue political influence and with careful management of 
taxpayer dollars.
  I have concluded that Dr. Groves is superbly well qualified for this 
important position. That is why our committee unanimously voted, by a 
voice vote, to confirm him. Our committee spans the political spectrum, 
and all of us felt Dr. Groves was well qualified for this critical 
position.
  Madam President, personally, I have had the opportunity to meet with 
Dr. Groves, to scrutinize his qualifications and background, and to 
question him intensely about the issues that have caused a few of my 
colleagues concern. I say to my colleagues, look at the hearing record, 
look at Dr. Groves' responses. I pressed him, as Senator Carper has 
pointed out, about the need to conduct the census free of any political 
influence, and I specifically asked him about the use of sampling for 
the 2010 census and the 2020 census. Dr. Groves not only committed to 
keeping politics out of the population count but also said he would 
resign and actively work to stop any action to improperly influence the 
census for political gain. He further stated, under oath, that he had 
no intention of seeking an adjustment of either the 2010 census or the 
2020 census.
  Let me read from the committee transcript because I, too, am very 
concerned about this problem. There were some initial indications that 
this White House might, in fact, be looking to influence the census in 
an improper way. That is why I wanted to get Dr. Groves on the record, 
under oath, on this important issue.
  Here is what I asked him:

       Dr. Groves, would you be prepared to resign if you were 
     asked or pressured to do something or take some action to 
     satisfy a political concern?

  Doctor Groves responded to me:

       More than that, Senator. If I resign, I promise you today 
     that after I resign, I would be active in stopping the abuse 
     from outside the system.


[[Page 17530]]


  In other words, Dr. Groves told me that if political pressure were 
put on him, he would not only resign, he would go public and he would 
lead the fight to protect the census from undue political influence. He 
committed to a transparent census process, stating:

       Sunshine, doing one's work in an open environment, having 
     an ongoing dialog with all of the stakeholders is one way to 
     insulate the Census Bureau from that political partisanship.

  He went on to add:

       Transparency is a very powerful antidote to attempts for 
     partisan influence.

  What could be clearer than that? Here we have a nominee who has 
pledged that he would resign if political influence were brought to 
bear on his office. I don't know what more you could ask, and this is 
the commitment given at a public hearing, under oath, as well as 
privately to me when we met in my office.
  Let me go on to the second issue that has been raised. Again, an 
important issue. I agree with my colleagues on my side of the aisle who 
have been concerned about whether sampling would be used rather than 
the actual count mandated by the Constitution. On this issue of 
sampling, I asked Dr. Groves:

       Will you advocate for the statistical adjustment or use of 
     sampling for the 2010 census?

  Dr. Groves's response:

       No, Senator.

  That is an unqualified response: ``No, Senator.''
   then asked him a further question: ``Will you advocate for the 
statistical adjustment of the 2020 census,'' since, after all, maybe 
there is not time to adjust the 2010 census to have sampling or a 
statistical adjustment, given how close we are to the 2010 census. So I 
asked him about the 2020 census.
  Dr. Groves's response:

       I have no plans to do that for 2020.

  Dr. Groves's record of service and leadership and scientific research 
spans the academic, government, and private sectors, both within the 
United States and internationally. As the director of the University of 
Michigan Survey Research Center, a very well-known prestigious research 
center; as the former director of the Joint Program in Service 
Methodology; and the former associate director of Statistical Design 
Standards and Methodology at the Census Bureau, he is considered to be 
one of a half dozen most highly regarded service research experts in 
the world.
  He is extraordinarily well qualified. He is not a political person. 
He is a scientist, a researcher, a statistician. That is why it is not 
surprising that Dr. Groves's nomination has received strong support 
from a number of organizations, including the American Statistical 
Association. I will concede, I did not know that such an organization 
existed prior to this nominee. But they have endorsed him, as well as 
some, perhaps, groups better known to us, such as the U.S. Conference 
of Mayors, the National League of Cities, and the Population Reference 
Bureau.
  But here is what is more telling. Six former Census Directors from 
both Democratic and Republican administrations have also endorsed Mr. 
Groves's nomination. Six from both parties, from both sides of the 
aisle, from Democratic and Republican administrations. This is a 
testament to the respect that Dr. Groves's peers have for his work.
  Dr. Groves has the leadership and professional experience that is 
needed to lead the Bureau through the 2010 census to plan for the 2020 
census and to direct the Bureau's other vital programs. I would be the 
first to be here in opposition if I believed he was going to use 
sampling or if I believed he was going to be susceptible to political 
pressure. There is nothing in the record or in his testimony that 
suggests that.
  I, therefore, urge my colleagues to support this nomination and to 
let us get on with the critical work that needs to be done at this 
Bureau which, regrettably, has been so poorly managed in the last few 
years.
  I look forward to working with Dr. Groves. I urge our colleagues to 
support his nomination.
  Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, I rise today to express my support for 
the nomination of Robert M. Groves to serve as the Director of the U.S. 
Bureau of the Census. I believe that he is extremely qualified to serve 
in this position. Dr. Groves is highly recognized by the academic 
community for his extraordinary work in survey methodology. He has 
previously held positions at the Census Bureau, including Associate 
Director and visiting researcher. His extensive academic and 
professional background makes him well suited for the responsibilities 
and challenges he will face as U.S. Census Director.
  As the year 2010 draws near, the Census Bureau is preparing to 
conduct the 23rd census of the United States. This national decennial 
census, as mandated by our Constitution, will yield results that will 
affect each and every citizen. The census serves to determine the 
apportionment of legislative seats, the distribution of Federal 
funding, and it provides important data as to what community resources 
are needed and how these resources should be allocated. Additionally, 
census data can offer a better understanding of the changing dynamics 
of our country. Thus, it is imperative that the census count be 
accurate. The Census Bureau must be led by a Director who understands 
the challenges presented by this daunting task. Mr. Groves is ready to 
face these challenges with the help of a comprehensive technology 
strategy and a dedicated workforce.
  I am proud to say that many members of this dedicated staff are based 
at the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, MD. Since 1942, the 
U.S. Census Bureau has been headquartered in Suitland. Currently, 
approximately 4,300 individuals are employed there, working hard to 
ensure that we have the data necessary to make important decisions 
affecting the lives of all Americans. I commend each of them for their 
valuable work.
  Coordinating the census is a herculean task. To compile socio-
economic data on each and every individual in this country is a 
daunting, mind-boggling task. The timeliness, relevancy, and quality of 
the data collected and services provided by the men and women at the 
Census Bureau Headquarters with Dr. Groves at the helm will ensure the 
successful completion of the upcoming decennial census and the future 
of the Census Bureau.
  I am pleased to support the nomination of Robert M. Groves as 
Director of the U.S. Census Bureau and encourage my colleagues to do 
the same.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who yields time?
  Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CARPER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from Michigan.
  Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, I yield myself 3 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, I am very pleased to support the 
nomination of Bob Groves to be Director of the U.S. Census Bureau. Dr. 
Groves is not just a well-qualified candidate; he may be the best 
qualified candidate ever nominated for this position.
  Dr. Groves has been endorsed by many scientific and professional 
associations, including the American Statistical Association, the 
American Sociological Association, and the Council of American Survey 
Research Organizations. He has also been endorsed by six former 
Directors of the U.S. Census Bureau who were appointed by both 
Republican and Democratic Presidents.
  I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a letter of 
endorsement.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                           The Census Project,

                                   Washington, DC, April 14, 2009.
     Hon. Joseph I. Lieberman,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
         Affairs, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Lieberman: We, the undersigned former 
     Directors of the U.S. Census

[[Page 17531]]

     Bureau who are familiar with the career of Robert M. Groves, 
     want to endorse his nomination as the next Director and urge 
     his speedy confirmation.
       It is a plus that Dr. Groves has had experience at the 
     Census Bureau, where he was brought in to reinvigorate the 
     Statistical Methods Division. He built a strong research team 
     who did much of the early research for improving the 2000 
     census. He came to the Census Bureau under the condition that 
     the Bureau would provide positions in his division for him to 
     recruit a small number of research specialists from academic 
     institutions, other federal statistical agencies, and from 
     within the Census Bureau for his team. Everyone he asked to 
     join that team considered it a career plus to join him.
       Dr. Groves is a nonpartisan, academic researcher who has 
     focused much of his research on non-response to household 
     surveys and survey error, has published three of the most-
     cited textbooks and numerous journal articles on survey 
     research, and has mentored many graduate students who now 
     staff most of the major academic and private sector survey 
     organizations in the field. As Director of the University of 
     Michigan's prestigious Survey Research Center/Institute of 
     Social Research, he is one of the half dozen most highly 
     regarded survey research methodologists not only in the 
     United States but in the world.
       As you know, time is short, and his speedy confirmation can 
     help achieve a 2010 census that is as accurate as possible.
           Sincerely,
     Charles Louis Kincannon
       (2002-2008);
     Kenneth Prewitt
       (1998-2001);
     Martha Farnsworth Riche
       (1994-1998);
     Barbara Everitt Bryant
       (1989-1993);
     John G. Keane
       (1984-1989);
     Vincent Barabba
       (1973-1976; 1979-1981).

  Mr. LEVIN. In 2001, Dr. Groves was elected by his peers to lead the 
Institute for Social Research and the Survey Research Center at the 
University of Michigan. This is the largest academic-based research 
institute of its kind in the world. It has educated many of our 
Nation's scientific leaders in the field of survey statistics. We 
sometimes talk about peer review. Well, he has been peer reviewed, and 
he was selected by his peers to lead that prestigious institution.
  Dr. Groves is a longtime Michigan resident. He has been part of the 
University of Michigan community since he began his master's studies in 
Ann Arbor in 1970. He graduated summa cum laude from Dartmouth College 
with a degree in sociology and earned master's degrees in statistics 
and sociology and a doctorate in sociology from the University of 
Michigan.
  He is truly a highly respected expert in survey methodology and 
statistics, and he will bring greatly needed leadership to the Census 
Bureau as it continues to prepare for and execute the 2010 census. Dr. 
Groves deserves the overwhelming support of the Senate.
  Madam President, I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a 
quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CARPER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. CARPER. Madam President, I think we are going to vote in about 12 
minutes or so, but I just wanted to reiterate a couple of things that 
have been said.
  First of all, our Constitution doesn't talk about a lot of the things 
we do to run our government in this country, but one of the things it 
talks about at some length is the census. It says to do it every 10 
years. We have tried to do that and do it well. It has gotten more 
difficult. We have a lot more people, and far flung. We have a lot more 
people to count next year than we did 10 years ago. People have 
concerns about privacy, and folks in this country speak a lot of 
different languages, just like they did when the first census was done.
  We are going to use technology. We are not going to use the 
technology we ought to. We need a Director who understands that and is 
in a position to make sure the technology we do plan to use in 2010 we 
use well, and when 2020 rolls around, we will use it a whole lot more 
effectively.
  It would be great to have a Census Director who was well schooled, 
well educated in doing the kind of work that is called on in conducting 
a census--counting large numbers of people. This fellow's credentials 
are superb. It would be great if we had someone who had actually worked 
at a high level in the census and demonstrated by his work his ability 
to run a large organization. He has done that, and at the University of 
Michigan he has headed up a very large organization of some of the 
smartest people in this country who work on these sorts of issues and 
has done so, from everyone we have heard, with great aplomb and great 
ability.
  As I said earlier, at the hearing I conducted several months ago with 
some of our colleagues on the Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs Committee, we reached out to people who have run the census in 
the last 30 or 40 years. We asked some of these folks to tell us who 
they thought would be good, and virtually everyone who has been 
involved in the census in a high leadership position has said not only 
would we be lucky to get a fellow with Dr. Groves's reputation, his 
leadership and ability, but we would be lucky to have somebody with 
this kind of experience.
  For me, and I know for my colleagues, an important issue is what is 
the character and the integrity of the person taking this position. I 
think it was Senator Collins who asked the question: If you believe 
political influence is being used in the conduct of the 2010 census, 
would you be willing to look into resigning as a form of protest 
against any kind of political involvement?
  And he said: Not only would I be willing to resign, I will resign. I 
would use whatever ability I could to bring to light the kind of 
behavior that led to my resignation, to discredit that behavior, and 
make it clear that is what I think we should not do, and that, 
literally, that behavior caused me to resign as the Census Director.
  I think it would be great if we had somebody who is interested in 
this job, willing to do the job, is well qualified, and who was willing 
to meet with anybody who wanted to meet with him whether they were on 
the committee of jurisdiction--Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs--or not; whether they were a Democrat or not. To my knowledge, 
he has met with all of us who wanted to spend time with him.
  The last thing I would say--and one of the things I found so 
refreshing--is that he is not a political guy. This is someone who is a 
scientist. He is a statistician. He is good at leading a large 
organization. He gets this stuff. He enjoys this stuff. How lucky we 
are to get someone who wants to take on this challenge for us in our 
Nation's history.
  For these reasons and others that Senator Collins and I have 
mentioned, he deserves our support. I hope in 10 minutes or so, when we 
have the opportunity to vote, we will vote for him in very large, 
overwhelming numbers.
  Madam President, how much time remains on our side?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Twenty seconds remain.
  Mr. CARPER. Madam President, I reserve the remainder of my time, and 
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CARPER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


                             Cloture Motion

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, pursuant to rule 
XXII, the Chair lays before the Senate the pending cloture motion, 
which the clerk will state.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

                             Cloture Motion

       We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the 
     provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, 
     hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of 
     Robert M. Groves, of Michigan, to be Director of the Census.

[[Page 17532]]

         Harry Reid, John D. Rockefeller, IV, Christopher J. Dodd, 
           Arlen Specter, Richard J. Durbin, Mark Begich, Mark 
           Udall, Michael F. Bennet, Jeff Bingaman, Robert P. 
           Casey, Jr., Frank R. Lautenberg, Blanche L. Lincoln, 
           Tom Udall, Bill Nelson, Byron L. Dorgan, Claire 
           McCaskill, Kirsten E. Gillibrand.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unanimous consent, the mandatory quorum 
call has been waived.
  The question is, Is it the sense of the Senate that debate on the 
nomination of Robert M. Groves, of Michigan, to be Director of the 
Census, shall be brought to a close?
  The yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule.
  The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk called the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. 
Byrd), the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kennedy), the Senator from 
West Virginia (Mr. Rockefeller), and the Senator from Michigan (Ms. 
Stabenow) are necessarily absent.
  Mr. KYL. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator 
from Utah (Mr. Bennett), the Senator from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint), 
the Senator from Texas (Mrs. Hutchison), the Senator from Indiana (Mr. 
Lugar), and the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Voinovich).
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there any other Senators in the Chamber 
desiring to vote?
  The yeas and nays resulted--yeas 76, nays 15, as follows:

                      [Rollcall Vote No. 230 Ex.]

                                YEAS--76

     Akaka
     Alexander
     Baucus
     Bayh
     Begich
     Bennet
     Bingaman
     Bond
     Boxer
     Brown
     Burr
     Burris
     Cantwell
     Cardin
     Carper
     Casey
     Coburn
     Cochran
     Collins
     Conrad
     Corker
     Dodd
     Dorgan
     Durbin
     Feingold
     Feinstein
     Franken
     Gillibrand
     Graham
     Grassley
     Gregg
     Hagan
     Harkin
     Hatch
     Inhofe
     Inouye
     Johanns
     Johnson
     Kaufman
     Kerry
     Klobuchar
     Kohl
     Kyl
     Landrieu
     Lautenberg
     Leahy
     Levin
     Lieberman
     Lincoln
     Martinez
     McCain
     McCaskill
     McConnell
     Menendez
     Merkley
     Mikulski
     Murkowski
     Murray
     Nelson (NE)
     Nelson (FL)
     Pryor
     Reed
     Reid
     Sanders
     Schumer
     Shaheen
     Snowe
     Specter
     Tester
     Thune
     Udall (CO)
     Udall (NM)
     Warner
     Webb
     Whitehouse
     Wyden

                                NAYS--15

     Barrasso
     Brownback
     Bunning
     Chambliss
     Cornyn
     Crapo
     Ensign
     Enzi
     Isakson
     Risch
     Roberts
     Sessions
     Shelby
     Vitter
     Wicker

                             NOT VOTING--9

     Bennett
     Byrd
     DeMint
     Hutchison
     Kennedy
     Lugar
     Rockefeller
     Stabenow
     Voinovich
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this vote, the yeas are 76, the nays are 
15. Three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn having voted in 
the affirmative, the motion is agreed to.
  Under the previous order, all postcloture time is yielded back. The 
question is on agreeing to the confirmation of the nominee.
  The nomination was confirmed.
  Under the previous order, the motion to reconsider is considered made 
and laid upon the table. The President will be immediately notified of 
the Senate's action.
  (At the request of Mr. Reid, the following statement was ordered to 
be printed in the Record.)
 Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, I was necessarily absent for 
tonight's vote on the nomination of Robert M. Groves, of Michigan, to 
be Director of the Bureau of the Census at the Department of Commerce. 
I was in Michigan attending an event with the Secretary of Agriculture. 
Had I been present for the vote on this nomination, I would have voted 
in favor of both the motion to invoke cloture and on confirmation of 
the nomination.

                          ____________________