Isakson Concerned with Census Director Nominee's Previous Support of "Sampling"
Isakson Concerned with Census Director Nominee's Previous Support of "Sampling"
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator and Senate candidate Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) today expressed concern with the Senate’s confirmation of Robert Groves as Director of the U.S. Census Bureau.
Jul 13, 2009
Groves will be in charge of the 2010 census, which is the counting of the U.S. population that is required by law every 10 years by the Commerce Department. Its results determine the redrawing of congressional districts as well as the composition of the Electoral College.
Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution provides for an “actual enumeration” and a statute passed by Congress provides that the duties under this clause are to be performed by the Secretary of Commerce. The law bars the President or his Chief of Staff from using “sampling,” or using mathematical estimates, to adjust census results for certain sections of the population that might be undercounted.
“Robert Groves supported statistical sampling in the 1990 census, which is not a legal method of conducting the census,” said Isakson. “I support the Constitution’s requirement of a physical head count, which entails going door-to-door to ensure a proper count and proper representation under the law.”
Isakson voted against ending the debate on Groves’ nomination, but the Senate agreed by a 76-15 vote to bring the debate to a close. Immediately following that vote, Groves’ nomination was confirmed by a voice vote.
