Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the 2020 Census and to emphasize the importance of ensuring that rural America is accounted for. Our once-a-decade counting of all Americans is important for numerous reasons. Most importantly, census data provides us with a roadmap for allocating hundreds of billions of dollars annually in government services. These include investments in things like education, roads, and bridges, and other areas of importance to rural districts like mine. I appreciate the U.S. Census Bureau's efforts to streamline government duties by including an online response option this year. However, I am very concerned that rural areas like Kentucky's First Congressional District could get left behind. Unfortunately, nearly 30 percent of my district lacks internet access or lacks access to reliable connection. This high number is unacceptable and could have dire consequences, including ensuring that people I serve are accounted for. This startling lack of internet access in rural America is a call to action for Congress to step up to the plate. My office has worked tirelessly to address this issue, including funding critical programs in the 2018 farm bill. But we must do more to expand internet connectivity so that our voices will not be undercounted and left behind. Without action, small towns across Kentucky and our entire Nation risk being left behind in the upcoming census, an outcome that should be unacceptable to every member of this body.…”