Chairman James Comer of the House Oversight Committee dropped a bombshell during a hearing on the U.S. Census, exposing how population overcounts in Democrat-leaning states and undercounts in Republican strongholds have skewed congressional representation. The revelations shed light on how Census errors can distort the apportionment of seats in Congress and Electoral College votes—essentially tipping the scales in favor of one party.
Comer cited data from the Post-Enumeration Survey of the 2020 Census, revealing significant discrepancies in population counts across states. Overcounts occurred in New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Hawaii, Delaware, Minnesota, Utah, and Ohio—six of which lean Democrat. Meanwhile, undercounts disproportionately affected Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Illinois, with five of these states favoring Republicans.
🚨 Chairman Comer (@RepJamesComer) Opens Hearing on Oversight of the U.S. Census Bureau
“The Census Bureau’s Post-Enumeration Survey—which measures Census count accuracy—revealed significant errors in 14 states. These errors predominantly benefited Democratic-leaning states in… pic.twitter.com/H6iWNQ3gmx
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) December 5, 2024
These errors aren’t just statistical blunders; they have real political consequences. Comer highlighted how razor-thin population differences can alter congressional apportionment. For instance, New York retained 26 seats in the House of Representatives instead of 27 due to a mere 89-person shortfall in Census figures. Such margins can impact the balance of power in Congress and presidential elections, raising questions about fairness and accuracy in representation.
Adding fuel to the fire is the contentious issue of counting illegal aliens in the Census. Despite efforts to include a citizenship question in 2020, legal battles prevented it from being added. Critics argue that including non-citizens in population counts inflates representation in states with high illegal immigrant populations, further skewing apportionment and resource allocation.
🔥 Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) GOES OFF on the Director of the U.S. Census Bureau for not including a citizenship status question.
“Are you getting welfare?
“Do you work for the government?
“Do you have a mental illness?
“Are you deaf?
“Are you blind?
“What’s your race?… pic.twitter.com/IgiCsnixCO
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) December 5, 2024
Comer pointed out the disproportionate effect this practice has on states with large undocumented populations, benefiting those that tend to vote Democrat. The absence of a citizenship question remains a flashpoint as Congress begins looking ahead to the 2030 Census.
The hearing underscored the stakes of ensuring a more accurate Census in the future. Comer emphasized the need to address these miscounts to prevent similar issues during the next Census cycle. The debate isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the integrity of representation and the allocation of federal resources.
Critics of the 2020 Census argue that these errors could have been avoided with better planning and a greater commitment to transparency. Comer’s focus on these discrepancies serves as a wake-up call for lawmakers to prioritize fairness and accountability as they prepare for 2030.
