WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today in Department of Commerce v. New York regarding the Trump administration’s addition of a question about citizenship on the 2020 Census. Since last year, U.S. Rep. Castor has urged the Trump administration to reject adding this citizenship question to the upcoming census:  

“Florida has so much at stake in the 2020 Census, I am relieved that the Supreme Court’s decision appears to allow an accurate count to proceed without partisan influence. Florida communities should prepare to have all residents counted so that we can bring our fair share of tax dollars back home.

The Constitution states unequivocally that the census must be conducted by 'counting the whole number of persons in each State.’ Any attempt to dilute that count is inconsistent with that language. In fact, a new study by none other than the Census Bureau itself has suggested that, if the citizenship question is included on the 2020 Census, the effect on the response rate for households with residents who are not U.S. citizens will be more significant than previously believed.

“Florida is such a large and diverse state that an accurate count is vital to our fair share of funding for transportation, housing, education and more.  A recent Urban Institute report showed that this citizenship question added at the last minute, along with underfunding and undertested process changes, could greatly threaten Florida’s count.

“Our work in the Tampa Bay area is just beginning as we prepare for the all-important census next year. This week, the Democratic-led House approved $8.5 billion in funds for the Census Bureau to conduct a thorough 2020 Census that counts all persons, more than $2 billion over the President’s request. At the same time, I am partnering with many groups in the Tampa Bay community dedicated to ensuring a ‘Complete Count’ of our neighbors in the 2020 Census because the quality of life for all of us in my hometown and Florida depends on it.

“As we prepare for the largest and most technologically advanced decennial census in the Census Bureau’s 230-year history, I want to assure my neighbors that participating in the 2020 Census is safe, important and necessary.“

U.S. Rep. Castor has worked to ensure an accurate, inclusive 2020 Census, including by urging Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to reject adding a citizenship question to the 2020 Census because Florida families and businesses would suffer the consequences.

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Additional background:  Counting for Dollars - Florida