Washington, D.C.–People For the American Way today applauded the House Oversight and Reform Committee for voting to hold Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in contempt for refusing to comply with subpoenas related to the decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census. PFAW Executive Vice President Marge Baker released the following statement:

“Stonewalling by Trump, Barr, and Ross in response to congressional subpoenas related to the 2020 Census is unacceptable, and it shows a flagrant disregard for Congress’s constitutional role and authority. The Census is one of the most important, sensitive activities mandated by the Constitution. Congress is absolutely within its rights to conduct oversight over this activity, and the administration must comply with Congress’s requests for information.

“Trump, Barr, and Ross are not above the law. The Trump administration’s behavior is cut-and-dried contempt of Congress, and Chairman Cummings and the rest of the Oversight Committee were right to vote to say so.”

About PFAW

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy.

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