Washington, D.C. – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and 20 Democratic colleagues sent a letter urging Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Director of Presidential Personnel John DeStefano to choose a nonpartisan, experienced, and scientifically-qualified nominee to be the director of the Census Bureau. Earlier this month, Secretary Ross told the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science that the Commerce Department had proposed a nominee to the White House, which was processing the request.
“The Census Bureau has one chance to get the count right,” the senators wrote. “Achieving an accurate count will require a nonpartisan, experienced, and scientifically-qualified public servant to lead the Census Bureau, and we ask that you take these considerations into account when choosing the best candidate. Additionally, a timely nomination is vital as we are only two years away from 2020.”
The letter comes a full year after the last director, John Thompson, resigned, and two years out from the 2020 Census. It also follows a November 2017 letter from Bennet and 33 other senators, asking Secretary Ross and Director DeStefano to prioritize filling the vacancy.
A copy of the letter is available HERE.