President Donald Trump, citing safety concerns brought on by the coronavirus outbreak, says he will ask for a “major” delay for the 2020 Census.
Talks are already underway for a 120-day extension, but Trump wants even more time.
"During this difficult time, we're also working to ensure that the 2020 Census is completed safely and accurately,” the president said. “We may be asking for an extension because, obviously, they can't be doing very much right now. They wouldn't even be allowed to do it. So the Census, we are going to be asking for a delay, a major delay.”
And he added: "In addition, as millions of Americans continue to complete their questionnaire online, the Census Bureau asked Congress for a 120-day extension. I don't know if you even have to ask them. This is called an act of God. This is called a situation that has to be — they have to give it and I think 120 days isn't nearly enough.”
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, said administration officials had already been requesting all field operations be postponed until June and the deadline for completing the nation’s head count be delayed until Oct. 31.
Officials had also been pushing to delay the deadline for giving states data for redistricting from next May to next July.
Jeffrey Rodack ✉
Jeffrey Rodack, who has nearly a half century in news as a senior editor and city editor for national and local publications, has covered politics for Newsmax for nearly seven years.
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