The U.S. Census Bureau has recently announced that they will end 2020 Census operations by September 30th, which is a month earlier than expected, because Congress has not yet acted to extend statutory reporting deadlines. Only 63% of households nationwide have participated in the census, so this news heightens concerns about an undercount in some communities.
After each census, the Bureau releases the resulting population data in stages, and by law, they must release the first round of data to the President on or before Dec. 31. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted life in the United States, the Bureau had to drastically change its operational plan, and they pushed the count’s deadline back to Oct. 31, giving them the necessary time to achieve a complete count safely. However, under the Oct. 31 count deadline, they would not be able to meet the December reporting deadline, and Congress would need to pass legislation to give them an extension. Although we expected Congress to do so, they have yet to act, and the clock is ticking.
The next COVID-19 relief bill is being considered right now, and you can help by encouraging your Senators’ support for an extension today!
TAKE ACTION TODAY!
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