How the United States Decides How Many Lawmakers to Send to Congress - December 19, 2018

معنی واژه با لمس

1. 0:00The United States Congress is supposed to represent the U.S.
2. 0:05population. Yet the number of people who live in the country keeps changing.
3. 0:12So every ten years, on years that end with a zero,
4. 0:17the federal government organizes a nationwide census.
5. 0:22That is, the government counts up the people who live in the U.S.
6. 0:27and its territories.
7. 0:30Census workers also ask questions to help officials better understand the kind of people who live
8. 0:39in each home or household.
9. 0:41Questions include residence ages, their ethnic group or groups,
10. 0:48and what kind of place they live in, a house, apartment building, or other kind of home.
11. 0:57Individuals' answers are kept private for 72 years, but the general information is widely shared.
12. 1:06For example, everyday Americans can get the number for the total U.S.
13. 1:13population. They can learn what percent of Americans are children or older adults,
14. 1:21male or female, African American, white,
15. 1:26native, Latino, or mixed.
16. 1:28Next, they can find out about how many people are immigrants, or speak a language other than English.
17. 1:37They can get an idea of how much money the average household earns,
18. 1:43and how many people have completed high school, college, or advanced degree programs.
19. 1:50This and other information helps the government make decisions related to housing,
20. 1:59schools, budgets, and other issues.
21. 2:04The information also helps identify how many lawmakers an area will send to the U.S.
22. 2:11House of Representatives.
23. 2:12After a census, some areas gain seats, others lose them.
24. 2:20The census is such an important part of the country's recordkeeping, it is required by law.
25. 2:29The Constitution writers required a census count, beginning in 1790.
26. 2:36Today, anyone who does not provide answers can be charged up to $5 ,000.
27. 2:45I'm Kelly Jean Kelly.