Rep. Young, Sen. Murkowski introduce Census 2020 bill

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Tuesday, September 15th, 2020 3:40pm

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Washington, DC (KINY) - Congressman Don Young and Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) have introduced legislation, the 2020 Census Deadline Extensions Act, alongside Senators Lisa Murkowski and Brian Schatz (D-HI).

This bill restores the original Census deadline to Oct. 31, from the Sept. 30 end date implemented in July.

This would allow the U.S. Census Bureau more time to finish data collection and processing, in turn leading to a more thorough and accurate count.

"One of the most important things Alaskans can do to ensure that our state is treated fairly is to fill out the Census," said Young. "Our constitutionally mandated Census only happens once a decade, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made this decade's Census data collection uniquely challenging. Let me be very clear: if Alaska's field staff are unable to finish a thorough and accurate Census, billions in federal funding will be left on the table over the next decade. We must extend the Census deadline. Alaskans deserve to have their roads, schools, recreation areas, and other public services fully funded; our field staff needs more time to complete this critical task. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation alongside Senators Murkowski and Schatz, and Congressman Gallego to ensure that the Census deadline is extended so that all Americans are empowered to succeed.”

In August, Young sent a letter to Census Bureau Director Dr. Steven Dillingham, urging him to reverse plans to move up the field data collection deadline to Sept. 30 from its original date of Oct. 31. Click here for the letter.

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