July 28, 2020

Correa Questions Attorney General Barr Over Administration’s Assault on Constitutionally Mandated Census

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46) joined his colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee for an oversight hearing with the Department of Justice Attorney General, William Barr.

Rep. Lou Correa said, “The census is one of the single most impactful activities carried out by the federal government. Political representation and federal funding depend on the census. When the count is wrong, there are real-world effects that hurt real working-class people. Yet President Trump has repeatedly taken steps likely to degrade the integrity of this year’s count. 

“Since the ratification of our Constitution 232 years ago, the census has been honored by Republican and Democratic Presidents alike without question. With over two centuries of legal precedent, federal law, and the Constitution’s 14th Amendment’s own words, the “whole number of persons” in the United States must be counted. 

“This Administration’s continued efforts to disenfranchise voters and defund communities by unconstitutionally attacking the census cannot be ignored. Today I asked Mr. Barr to follow the law and stop the President’s attack on the census.

“Attorney General Barr has one of the greatest responsibilities in the United States—ensuring justice for all Americans. President Trump must respect our Constitution—the supreme law of the land. And just like every other American, the President must follow the law and protect the census.”

Watch Congressman Correa’s questioning here.

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Rep. Lou Correa represents California’s 46th Congressional District. He serves as Chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, and as the Vice-Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. Read more here.