IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. CON. RES. 31 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

DECEMBER 19, 2019 

Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the importance and significance of the 2020 

Census and encouraging individuals, families, and households across the United States to participate in the 2020 

Census to ensure a complete and accurate count. 

Whereas the Constitution of the United States requires an 

actual enumeration of the population every 10 years, with 

the 2020 count beginning in remote Alaska in January 

2020 and elsewhere in the United States in March 2020; 

Whereas the decennial census is a responsibility of the Federal Government, mandated by section 2 of article I of 

the Constitution of the United States; 

Whereas any individual who wants to help administer the 

2020 Census should apply at 2020census.gov/jobs; 

Whereas the goal of the decennial census is to count every 

person in the United States once, and only once, and in 

the right place; 

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Whereas the goal of the 2020 Census is to eliminate the 

undercounting and overcounting of specific population 

groups, problems that were apparent in previous censuses; 

Whereas the 2020 Census is quick, safe, and easy to complete; 

Whereas, under section 2108(b) of title 44, United States 

Code— 

(1) the confidentiality of all personally identifiable 

information from the decennial census is protected from 

public disclosure for 72 years; 

(2) the Bureau of the Census is prohibited from 

sharing any personally identifiable information from the 

decennial census with any other government agency, including law enforcement and courts of law, or any private 

entity, for any purpose; and 

(3) the information collected through the decennial 

census is used for statistical purposes only; 

Whereas the decennial census is a cornerstone of the representative democracy of the United States, as the data 

collected through the decennial census— 

(1) is the basis for apportioning among the States 

seats in the House of Representatives; and 

(2) is provided to the States for drawing congressional and legislative district lines; 

Whereas complete and accurate census data will help ensure 

that resources for education, health care, rural development, workforce training, housing, transportation, and 

other matters are allocated fairly and accurately; 

Whereas businesses use census data to guide investment in 

job-creating initiatives, such as the building of new proVerDate Sep 11 2014 20:53 Jan 03, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SC31.RFH SC31
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duction facilities, and in choosing where to locate new retail and service outlets; 

Whereas, in 2020, responding to the census will be easier 

than ever, as the census form will be available online for 

the first time and households may choose to respond online, over the phone, or through the mail; and 

Whereas a complete and accurate census requires the fullest 

possible participation from all residents of the United 

States: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 

2 concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that— 

3 (1) it is the civic duty of the people of the 

4 United States to help ensure that the 2020 Census 

5 is as accurate as possible; 

6 (2) the Federal Government, State and local 

7 governments, civil society, businesses, religious insti8 tutions, libraries, and other national and local orga9 nizations should work together as partners to inform 

10 the public that the 2020 Census is safe, easy, and 

11 important; 

12 (3) individuals who want to help administer the 

13 2020 Census should apply for a job at 

14 2020census.gov/jobs; and 

15 (4) residents of the United States should plan 

16 to respond to the 2020 Census to ensure that all 

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1 people living in a household in the United States, in2 cluding young children, are included. 

Passed the Senate December 18, 2019. 

Attest: JULIE E. ADAMS, 

Secretary.