“Rarely in Washington nowadays is there such uniform bipartisan agreement accompanied by fast action. I introduced this bill in early February after these deceptive mailings surfaced. The House and Senate unanimously passed it, and it is now being signed by the President just 57 days after being introduced. There’s a clear bipartisan message here: do not mess with the Census!,” Maloney said.
 
“Organizations that deliberately imitate census forms reduce the effectiveness of the official Census—which costs taxpayers money and reduces accuracy. These mailings try to confuse people into thinking they are opening an authentic census form. It’s just plain deceptive, and this law will help prevent further deception,” said Rep. Maloney. “I thank President Obama and applaud Senator Carper and Majority Leader Reid, and also Chairman Clay, Chairman Towns, Chairman Lynch and Ranking Members Issa and Chaffetz for their leadership on this issue.”

"I commend the U.S. Senate for acting quickly to combat the practice of sending deceptive Census look-alike mailings that try to confuse seniors, minorities, new immigrants and other hard to count groups. This legislation comes at a critical moment, as we encourage everyone to do their civic duty by filling out and mailing back their Census questionnaire," said Chairman Clay.

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Background.  Last December, Rep. Maloney and Chairman Clay wrote to the U.S. Postal Service about direct mailings sent by the Republican National Committee signed by RNC Chair Michael Steele which were labeled “Census Document Registered To” above the address of the recipient and “DO NOT DESTROY/OFFICAL DOCUMENT” without any return address. Ten years ago, similarly-labeled mailings by the Southwest Legal Foundation were ruled unacceptable by the Postal Service.  In January 2009, the USPS ruled that there was “no basis for action” on the RNC mailing. Similar census-style mailings have been reported more recently. 

Maloney-Clay December 14, 2009 letter to Postal Service Inspector General.  (PDF)

look-alike mailer 1. (also part of letter to Postal Service, above) (PDF)

look-alike mailer 2. (PDF)

H.R. 4621 full bill text.  (PDF)

Maloney’s statement before the committee here. (Word doc)