WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review of the U.S. Census Bureau’s preparations for the 2030 census.
Census results are tied to important outcomes for communities in Michigan and across the country, including federal resources for education, health care and infrastructure. Peters has
raised concerns about challenges with the 2020 Census, including under counts for cities like Detroit, which led to serious consequences like decreased funding for Medicaid and Medicare, SNAP benefits, Head Start, and other critical programs. As the Census Bureau directs additional research and testing to ensure the 2030 Census accurately represents the population, Peters is asking GAO to conduct thorough reviews to ensure the Bureau is adequately addressing persistent problems and preparing for potential challenges, including reaching historically under counted groups.
“The 2020 Census encountered unprecedented obstacles related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as interference, schedule changes, and other challenges. That census resulted in significant under counts of multiple states and certain demographic groups, including children, African Americans, Native Americans, the Hispanic or Latino population, and others,” wrote Senator Peters. “2020 Census under counts and issues affected localities across the nation, from large cities such as Detroit to small towns. As the Bureau embarks on the 2030 Census, it must learn from the 2020 Census, as well as address persistent challenges including reaching a complex population, planning for contingencies, and ensuring data privacy and confidentiality.”
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which Peters chairs, is responsible for conducting oversight of the U.S. Census Bureau. Peters
sent a letter to Census Bureau Director Robert E. Santos to request additional information on how the bureau worked to address the under counts from the 2020 Census. Peters
convened a field hearing in 2022 in downtown Detroit to hear from local leaders about the impacts of the 2020 Census on Michigan communities. Peters also convened a hearing in 2021 with senior federal officials to examine the 2020 Census and how lawmakers can work to improve operations at the Census Bureau.
The text of the letter is copied below and available
here.