Republicans have long complained about “unelected bureaucrats” making government regulations. Now the GOP is trying to reshape the workings of government by changing Census procedures without the consent of Congress or the voters.
The Constitution requires the Census to count “the whole number of persons” in the country every 10 years.
The Trump administration wants to count only citizens and green card holders, omitting other visa holders and undocumented immigrants. Questions about race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity would be dropped. Representation in Congress would change, as well as distribution of federal funds for important government responsibilities such as schools, health care, emergency services, and highways.
The changes are likely intended to reduce the political influence of states that Trump considers his enemies. They would also create unreliable statistical data that could not be used in planning or compared with previous years.
The administration is trying to make rule changes quickly, probably because it knows their legality is questionable.
The minimum allowable public comment period for changes in federal regulations is 30 days, but typically 90 days are given. The Trump administration is giving only 33 days, beginning on Sept. 10, for comments on this sweeping restructuring of our democracy.
The deadline for submitting comments is Oct. 13.
The nonpartisan League of Women Voters is providing an opportunity to submit comments, and to request an extension of the public comment deadline.
Follow this link to make your views known.
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