Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10), who is currently the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and National Archives, released the following statement upon the Census Bureau’s announcement of apportionment data from the 2010 Census: Read more »

Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10), Ranking Member on the Information Policy, Census, and National Archives Subcommittee, issued the following statement today following his vote against S. 3167, the “Census Oversight Efficiency and Management Reform Act.” Read more »

Most Americans have had weeks to return their census forms and new data is showing that Republicans may be responding at significantly lower rates. A recent article in the Houston Chronicle points out that conservative Texas is way behind the national average in returning Census forms and some of the lowest rates are in Texas’ most conservative counties. Read more »

“Capable and dedicated workers are essential to a successful count. Our communities have so much at stake in the 2010 Census. Full participation is the only way we can get our fair share of federal funding for the next decade,” said Congressman McHenry. Read more »

“Republicans and Democrats alike stand ready to provide adequate funding for a successful census. But it now seems that the Census Bureau is incapable of determining what that cost will be. “While I appreciate Dr. Groves being forthright and understand that these problems are not of his making, corrective action must take place immediately. The 2010 Decennial, which is already funded to the tune of $14.7 billion, is just around the corner. The Census Bureau must fix its costs estimation model quickly and report back to Congress with an accurate figure. Read more »

The top House Republican overseeing the 2010 census is enlisting his GOP colleagues in an effort to maximize participation in the decennial count by constituents who may be reluctant to disclose information to government officials. Read more »

“Our best leaders and best ideas come from the grass roots,” added Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.). “It’s individuals taking leadership in their government.” Read more »

As the Ranking Republican on the Census Oversight Subcommittee, I privately encouraged the Bureau to reconsider. Subsequently, the Bureau and I engaged in a confrontational public dispute over their relationship with ACORN. The Bureau would eventually listen to reason and agreed that ACORN could not be trusted to recruit census workers, but they continued to defend their partnership with this criminal enterprise. When the despicable conduct of ACORN was caught on tape and broadcast on BigGoverment.com, the Bureau officially got out of the business of apologizing for ACORN. Read more »

“For months, I have continually pressured the Bureau to protect the integrity of the 2010 Census and end its relationship with ACORN. For months, the Bureau shamefully defended this criminal enterprise affiliated with the Democratic Party. When I met with Director Groves immediately following his confirmation, he promised me that the status of ACORN as a national partner would be reviewed. I applaud Director Groves for having the courage to do the right thing. I’m sure there are those in the Obama Administration who will not be happy with Director Groves’ decision. But it comes as welcome news to the public and all who seek an accurate and apolitical census.” Read more »

The Census Bureau on Friday severed its ties with ACORN, a community organization that has been hit with Republican accusations of voter-registration fraud. "We do not come to this decision lightly," Census director Robert Groves wrote in a letter to ACORN, which was obtained by The Associated Press. Read more »