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CONGRESSMAN ADRIANO ESPAILLAT URGES HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO REJECT CITIZENSHIP QUESTION ON 2020 CENSUS

March 29, 2018

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Today, Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) sent a letter to Rep. Trey Gowdy, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, to urge that he reject the inclusion of the citizenship question on the 2020 Census.

"The addition of the citizenship question to the 2020 Census will have grave consequences on the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of the Census count," said Rep. Espaillat. "The Trump Administration's decision to add a citizenship question is deeply political and divisive and is opposed by civil rights leaders, advocates, and groups around the nation.

"The citizenship question raises serious concerns that must be addressed immediately. For this reason, I am calling on the House Oversight Committee to 1) reject inclusion of the citizenship question on the 2020 Census; 2) hold a hearing on the effects this question will have on constituents and communities; and 3) consider pending legislation regarding the inclusion of the citizenship question on the 2020 Census.

"We must protect an accurate Census by ensuring inclusivity and a reflection of the diversity and representation on our nation."

Click here to read Rep. Espaillat's letter to Chairman Gowdy in its entirety.

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First elected to Congress in 2016, Rep. Adriano Espaillat is serving his first term in Congress where he serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and the House Select Committee on Small Business. He is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and serves in a leadership role as CHC Freshman Representative to the Democratic Caucus. He is also chairman of the CHC Task Force for Transportation, Infrastructure and Housing. Rep. Espaillat's Congressional District includes Harlem, East Harlem, northern Manhattan and the north-west Bronx. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at /.

Media inquiries: Candace Randle Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov