Meng Presses OMB on Race and Ethnicity Data for 2020 Census

In an effort to collect more accurate and complete data on race and ethnicity for the 2020 Census, Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) urged Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney to revise outdated federal standards for data collection as soon as possible. The Census Bureau must submit final questions for the 2020 Census to Congress by March 31, 2018, so any change to federal data collection standards must be made immediately to allow the Census Bureau sufficient time to respond. "I cannot overstate the importance of accurate and reliable Census data, particularly concerning race and ethnicity," said Meng. "This data is used in everything from how we allocate federal resources to how we determine the distribution of congressional seats. Research shows that shifting from a two-question approach on race and ethnicity to a one-question approach would improve data collection and lead to more reliable and more accurate results." Senators Bob Menéndez (D-NJ) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) sent a similar letter last week. More here.