With the threat of COVID-19 on the sunshine state and the globe, Florida Democrats have blasted the president for what they believe is the Trump administration’s intention to suppress the census.
As a result, Florida Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D), who faces a tough reelection campaign, has just released a statement regarding an accurate census count during the coronavirus crisis.
Joined by 37 other Democratic members of congress, the Florida Rep. urged Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Steven Dillingham, the U.S. Census Bureau Director, to consider other alternative options to ensure that an accurate and complete census count is taken.
In her statement, Mucarsel-Powell expressed that “Florida continues to be one of the state’s most likely to be undercounted during the 2020 census, jeopardizing our community’s ability to be accurately and effectively represented.”
Mucarsel-Powell added that “we must take appropriate steps to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on this important constitutional process.”
The members of Congress also noted that “while we appreciate the work [of the Commerce Department and the U.S. Census Bureau] to build a robust online infrastructure, simply pointing people to the online form is insufficient.”
As a result, the members of Congress urge Dillingham and Ross “to consider alternative options including but not limited to: extending the enumeration period for non-response follow up and for people experiencing homelessness.”
