Senate Panel Should Approve Dillingham to Lead Census Bureau

WASHINGTON – Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement in advance of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs’ consideration of the nomination of Stephen Dillingham to be Director of the Census Bureau:

“We urge the committee to advance the nomination of Dr. Dillingham and call on the Senate to confirm him as soon as possible.

“In little more than a year, peak 2020 Census operations will start. The nation’s largest peacetime mobilization is a cornerstone of our democratic system of governance; it also represents our nation’s most inclusive civic engagement opportunity. But the 2020 Census is facing unprecedented challenges that could reduce accuracy, especially in historically hard-to-count communities.

“Given that the 2020 Census will take place during what is likely to be a divisive presidential campaign, the Census Bureau’s leadership must rise above any efforts to politicize the census, reject any attempts to influence census implementation for partisan gain, and reassure the public that it is important and safe to participate.

“As with previous censuses, we look forward to working in partnership with the census director to ensure a fair and accurate 2020 Census that fulfills our democracy’s vision of inclusiveness and accountability.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.