WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) joined their colleagues on a bipartisan resolution to emphasize the importance of a fair and accurate 2020 Census. The resolution encourages individuals, families, and households across the United States to take part in the Census so that all communities can be counted.

“The Census is a central part of America’s democracy that dates back to our nation’s founding,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “Census data provides critical information to ensure accurate representation in Congress, and is a major factor that determines federal funding for much-needed local investments into roads, schools, and more. We urge Maine people to take all necessary steps to ensure they are properly counted when this process begins in 2020.”

The 2020 Census is a constitutionally-mandated undertaking. The data collected is used to properly allocate seats for the U.S. House of Representatives and state legislatures. It also directs more than $800 billion annually in federal funding to state and local communities.

The resolution recognizes the importance and significance of the 2020 Census and encourages all people to participate. It concludes that it is the civic duty of every person to ensure that the 2020 Census is as accurate as possible by counting everyone once, only once and in the right place.

For a PDF copy of the resolution, click here.