Sean Patrick Maloney: “this is Census Day plus three. My message to the American people is that if they have not already filled out and…”

“this is Census Day plus three. My message to the American people is that if they have not already filled out and returned their census questionnaire, do it today. Do it this very minute. It is everyone's civic responsibility. I am very pleased that the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller), the Chair of the Subcommittee on Census, joins me in this message. As of today, over 53 percent of Americans have responded to the census, with 47 percent to go. To the remaining 47 percent, I say please do their civic responsibility and fill out the form. This was going to be our main message tonight here on the floor. But instead, regretfully, and with some disbelief, we must also stand here and ask what is going through the minds of some of our colleagues both here in the House of Representatives, in the Senate, and on the campaign trail. With 47 percent of the American people still not being heard from, 2 days before census day, we have Members of Congress, who should all know better, standing up, holding press conferences and telling the American people that the census is optional. Is it that some in the majority are undercount-aholics, they cannot help themselves but they want an inaccurate census? We have Members of Congress saying that they "believe in voluntarily cooperating" with the Government; but, beyond that, they will not follow the law. Since when did following the law in this country become a voluntary thing?”