AOC vs. Secretary Ross

If you haven’t seen AOC aggressively question Secretary Ross about the 2020 census question about being a citizen, check out one of the on-line videos. I’m trying to figure out if she’s sharp and quick, or just stupid and arrogant. So I looked up the actual law under debate…AOC was fully invested. With puffed up chest and sniping look down her nose, she pressed the Secretary with a accusatory monologue, followed by a drum-roll pause, and then, “So.. I want to know why are we violating the Law?” She admits 2 reports were filed, and demands that the third should have been.

USC 13 Sec 141

(f) With respect to each decennial and mid-decade census conducted under subsection (a) or (d) of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the committees of Congress having legislative jurisdiction over the census—
(1) not later than 3 years before the appropriate census date, a report containing the Secretary’s determination of the subjects proposed to be included, and the types of information to be compiled, in such census;
(2) not later than 2 years before the appropriate census date, a report containing the Secretary’s determination of the questions proposed to be included in such census; and
(3) after submission of a report under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection and before the appropriate census date, if the Secretary finds new circumstances exist which necessitate that the subjects, types of information, or questions contained in reports so submitted be modified, a report containing the Secretary’s determination of the subjects, types of information, or questions as proposed to be modified.

So, my reading of Para (3) says if the Secretary finds new circumstances which necessitate questions contained in one of the second report be modified, a 3rd report containing the Secretary’s determination of questions to be modified.

Nowhere in the Congressional transcript did AOC or Ross refer to questions in the second report. The only time a 3rd report is required is IF THE SECRETARY FINDS that the questions in the second report should be modified, and if so, then a 3rd report contains the Secretary’s determination of questions to be modified would be submitted.

So, uh.. what’s with the “break the law” theme?