Udall Leads Indian Affairs Hearing on Census Data in Indian Country

Also offers amendments to improve the Tribal Law and Order Act, expand Tribal access to background checks

By Tom Udall Press Office 

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, led a committee oversight hearing entitled “Making Indian Country Count: Native Americans and the 2020 Census” to discuss the barriers to accurate census counts in Indian Country.

“Valid and accurate census data is the bedrock of fair, proportionate representation in our democracy,” Udall said. “An inaccurate census risks underrepresentation for Tribal communities. And an undercount can lead to skewed state, local, and federal voting districts that diminish the voices of those communities.”

“The results of the census have a ripple effect beyond just the government. Businesses look at these population estimates when looking to expand. And they influence how communities, including Tribes, plan for schools and hospitals,” Udall continued. “That makes it all the more important that we get this census right. Unfortunately, the bureau certainly hasn’t in the past.”

In 2010, the census undercounted the American Indian and Alaska Native population by an estimated 5 percent. Today, Tribal witnesses testified on the far-reaching impacts that inaccurate counts have had on Tribal communities – including underrepresentation in voting districts and equitable allocation of federal funding.

“I am concerned that funding shortfalls, leading to the cancellation of important field tests, are only further straining the bureau’s ability to carry out this constitutionally mandated duty,” Udall said. “This has very real consequences for Indian Country. Census data determines how the government will distribute more than $600 billion this year and more than $6 trillion over the next 10 years, by some estimates.”

Udall continued, “for every person the census misses, thousands of dollars are lost. In a budget environment where Indian Country is already underfunded, we can’t afford to let these dollars leave Indian Country.”

In addition to the oversight hearing, Udall led a committee business meeting to consider two bills, including the Tribal Law and Order Reauthorization and Amendments Act, S. 1953. Udall offered two amendments to S.1953. Udall’s first amendment, which was adopted by the committee, improves certain reporting requirements in the Tribal Law and Order Act to enhance Tribal input, creates safeguards for Native human trafficking victim’s privacy, and examines educational opportunities available to incarcerated Native youth.

Udall’s second amendment to S. 1953 addresses Tribal access to federal criminal databases to ensure Tribes can access needed criminal background check information for foster care placements and employment decisions. According to a report from the Interior Department’s inspector general, the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) is failing to ensure that background checks are being carried out for BIE school employees. Udall withdrew the amendment after securing an agreement from Chairman John Hoeven (R-N.D.) to continue working with him on addressing this issue. He further stated that he hopes to keep refining the language with new feedback from the Department of Justice and Tribal stakeholders.