Eva M. Clayton: “I am amazed that my Republican colleagues are saying it is the President and the administration who are politicizing the…”

“I am amazed that my Republican colleagues are saying it is the President and the administration who are politicizing the census. That is not true. But do not take my word for it. I would like to borrow some of the words from editorials published all across this Nation which make it crystal clear who is interjecting politics into the census debate. The Christian Science Monitor, April 28, 1998. It says, The real issue is political, not constitutional. Some of the GOP party don't really want a more accurate count on the hardest-to-find Americans, the poor and new immigrants, larger numbers in those categories could affect the political character of congressional districts. Specifically, it might become harder to create 'safe' Republican seats. Consider this. Buffalo News, June 15, 1998: The argument really is more about political power than logic. Republicans privately fear that a census that reveals more minorities and poor people could lead to a redrawing of legislative districts in ways that threaten GOP office holders. Consider this also. Newsday, June 16, 1997: Republicans, panicked they might lose congressional seats with a more accurate inner-city count, intend to fight again. They are acting out of self-interest, not the national interest. Consider the Houston Chronicle, June 4, 1998: The purpose of the U.S. Census is to get the most accurate count possible.…”