In a fiery exchange during a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) criticized the Census Bureau and Republican leadership.
She is alleging systemic underrepresentation of Texans of color despite their role in the state’s dramatic population growth.
The Numbers Tell a Story
The hearing, led by Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), focused on preparing for the 2030 census and assessing alleged inaccuracies in the 2020 census.
Texas added nearly 4 million new residents between 2010 and 2020, with 95% of the growth driven by people of color.
Despite this, the state’s two new congressional seats—gained due to the population increase—both favor Republican control and do not reflect the racial makeup of the new residents.
Crockett grilled Census Bureau Director Robert Santos on the racial breakdown of the population boom, correcting his initial assumption that the majority of new residents were white Texans.
“Of those 4 million people, only about 180,000 were white Texans,” she pointed out, highlighting the stark reality that the state’s growth came overwhelmingly from Black, Hispanic, and Asian communities.
“Republican Math” and Representation
Crockett accused Texas Republicans of using the census data to manipulate representation.
“They love to use our bodies to apportion us in an inaccurate way,” she said, referring to the GOP’s congressional redistricting efforts that critics say dilute the voting power of communities of color.
The 2021 congressional maps, approved by Texas Republicans, reduced the number of districts where people of color are the majority of eligible voters, sparking outrage and legal challenges.
“So get this,” Crockett continued, “Texas got two new seats, but somehow that amounted to two new white seats. That’s how Republican math works.”
Census Oversight and Future Concerns
Chairman Comer, in his remarks, accused the Census Bureau of “substantial miscounts” and promoted the Equal Representation Act, which seeks to add a citizenship question to the census.
Comer claimed this would ensure fair apportionment and prevent non-citizens from influencing congressional representation.
However, Crockett’s line of questioning highlighted how existing census practices already marginalize minority communities, underscoring the need for equitable representation in future congressional maps.
What’s at Stake for 2030?
As the Census Bureau prepares for the next decennial count, debates about accuracy, representation, and fairness are intensifying.
Crockett’s critique stresses the broader implications of census data manipulation, not just for Texas but for the nation, as population trends increasingly favor communities of color.
