House Democrat to probe census citizenship question

Politics 17:32 14.11.2018

The lawmaker expected to head the powerful House Oversight Committee in the new U.S. Congress says one of his first priorities will be investigating why President Donald Trump’s administration decided to ask about citizenship on the 2020 census questionnaire.

Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings told Reuters he had not yet prioritized all the issues his committee would examine when his party takes over leadership of the House of Representatives in January.

“There are certain things that mandate that we look at immediately. One of them is the census, because that’s right around the corner,” Cummings told Reuters on Tuesday evening outside the House.

Last month, Cummings called for an official probe into why the Commerce Department added the question, which critics have said could depress the response to the census from immigrants, who often live in Democratic-leaning areas. If undercounted, areas with high immigrant populations could lose seats in the U.S. House.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced the citizenship question in March, billing it as a way to help enforce the Voting Rights Act. The act requires a tally of citizens of voting age to protect minorities against discrimination.

Eighteen states and 15 cities have sued the administration to have the question removed, calling it unconstitutional.

U.S. congressional elections last week gave Democrats control of the House, starting in January. Incoming Democratic committee chairs are expected to bombard the Trump administration with investigations, issuing subpoenas and holding hearings.

The oversight panel Cummings is expected to chair has wide-ranging jurisdiction over the government. He has foreshadowed a broad, aggressive agenda, including a look at Trump’s business interests as well as “day-to-day” issues like prescription drug pricing and voter suppression.

As for the census citizenship question, Cummings said the oversight panel needed to “figure out why it’s there, because to be very frank with you, we have been told some untruths” by the administration. By shining light on the origins of the question, he hoped ultimately to be rid of it, Cummings said, perhaps by aiding court battles launched against it.

In October, Cummings questioned the Commerce Department’s contention that it added the question at the request of the Justice Department, saying court documents indicated Commerce initiated the idea - in coordination with former White House adviser and conservative firebrand Steve Bannon.

 

Journalists from Uzbekistan embarked on a visit to International Eurasia Press Fund -PHOTOS/VIDEO

News line

Ammunition found in Khankandi
10:12 25.04.2024
Politico: ‘Ukraine may not receive additional financial aid from US until election’
10:02 25.04.2024
'US welcomes start of border delimitation process between Azerbaijan, Armenia - State Dept
09:47 25.04.2024
Price of Azerbaijan oil increases
Price of Azerbaijan oil increases
09:31 25.04.2024
National Hero Albert Agarunov remembered on his birthday
09:15 25.04.2024
Hungarian FM embarks on a visit to Azerbaijan
08:50 25.04.2024
Antonov: Russian forces will 'burn' all US supplies to Ukraine
23:42 24.04.2024
Kazakhstan, UK sign strategic partnership and cooperation agreement
22:40 24.04.2024
Iraqi President was invited to COP29
Iraqi President was invited to COP29
22:12 24.04.2024
State reception was hosted in honor of President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov
21:00 24.04.2024
Journalists from Uzbekistan embarked on a visit to International Eurasia Press Fund -PHOTOS/VIDEO
20:10 24.04.2024
Biden signs Israel, Ukraine, TikTok bill into law
20:00 24.04.2024
Doha hosts first face-to-face Russia-Ukraine talks on return of children
19:30 24.04.2024
International experts from 30 countries view restoration work in Lachin
19:15 24.04.2024
Ombudsman informs UK ambassador about landmine terrorism by Armenia against Azerbaijan
19:00 24.04.2024
Israel's Defense Minister: ‘Half of Hezbollah's commanders have been killed’
Israel's Defense Minister: ‘Half of Hezbollah's commanders have been killed’
18:45 24.04.2024
Azerbaijan's insurance market rises
18:30 24.04.2024
Belarus deploys tactical nuclear weapons on its territory
Belarus deploys tactical nuclear weapons on its territory
18:15 24.04.2024
US President Biden once again used "Armenian genocide" term
18:00 24.04.2024
Estonia welcomes remarkable developments in Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process
17:45 24.04.2024
Azerbaijan's Pardon Issues Commission holds next meeting, number of appeals exceed 300
Azerbaijan's Pardon Issues Commission holds next meeting, number of appeals exceed 300
17:30 24.04.2024
Azerbaijan's representation at the UN Committee Against Torture is ongoing - LIVE
17:29 24.04.2024
Azerbaijan, the U.S. mull issues of cyber security in financial field
17:15 24.04.2024
Kazakhstan expects second wave of floods
17:00 24.04.2024
France proposes new EU sanctions against Russia
16:45 24.04.2024
President of Kyrgyzstan highlights construction of secondary school in Aghdam district
16:30 24.04.2024
Erdogan meets with German President
16:15 24.04.2024
Azerbaijani ambassador meets with Gambia foreign minister
Azerbaijani ambassador meets with Gambia foreign minister
16:00 24.04.2024
Pelosi says Israel's Netanyahu 'should resign' as prime minister
15:45 24.04.2024
Türkiye urges world community to support Ankara-Yerevan normalization process
15:30 24.04.2024
Sadyr Zhaparov: Azerbaijan is building its bright future with confidence
15:15 24.04.2024
Media: About 30 Israeli generals and Shin Bet officers held hostage by Hamas
Media: About 30 Israeli generals and Shin Bet officers held hostage by Hamas
15:00 24.04.2024
Monkeypox epidemic declared in Congo
14:50 24.04.2024
Ilham Aliyev: Visit of President of Kyrgyzstan to Azerbaijan will contribute to strengthening friendly, fraternal relations between two countries
14:40 24.04.2024
President Ilham Aliyev: ‘Azerbaijan is determined to continue active interaction with Kyrgyzstan in all areas’
14:38 24.04.2024
President of Azerbaijan invites his Kyrgyz counterpart to COP29
President of Azerbaijan invites his Kyrgyz counterpart to COP29
14:30 24.04.2024
Azerbaijan’s central bank, US Department of Treasury discuss financial stability
Azerbaijan’s central bank, US Department of Treasury discuss financial stability
14:30 24.04.2024
President of Azerbaijan invites his Kyrgyz counterpart to COP29
14:17 24.04.2024
Presidents of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan hold meeting in limited format
14:08 24.04.2024
Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan sign documents
Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan sign documents
13:30 24.04.2024
Hamısı