VOA慢速英语2010年-United States Releases Results of 2010

This week, the United States Census¹ Bureau released its official count of the nation’s population. It said the population, as of April first, was three hundred eight million, seven hundred forty-five thousand, five hundred thirty-eight.

The population increased nine point seven percent in ten years. This was the nation’s lowest growth rate since the nineteen thirties. Experts say this was a result of falling birth rates among some groups and fewer immigrants because of the recession.

Two states had the largest population increases. Texas gained more than four million people -- more than any other state. Nevada was the fastest growing state. Its population increased thirty-five percent from the last census in two thousand.

Across the country, the largest increases were in southern and western states. The population continues to move from the Northeast and Midwest to the South and West. This has been happening for the past forty years.

The United States Constitution calls for a census of the nation’s population every ten years. This must be done to equally divide the four hundred thirty-five voting districts in the House of Representatives among the states. Each House member represents, on average, about seven hundred thousand people. The states with the biggest populations have more congressional seats than less populated states. The most populated state, California, has fifty-three House seats. The least populous², Wyoming, has only one seat.

Census Bureau Director Robert Groves³ announces results for the 2010 U.S. Census at the National Press Club.

Eighteen states will gain or lose seats in the House because of the census results. Texas will gain four seats, more than any other state. Florida will gain two seats. Six states in the South and West will each gain one seat. Ohio and New York will lose two House seats each.

Eight states, mostly in the Northeast and Midwest, will lose one seat each.

Some experts say the census report was possible good news for the Republican Party. Most of the states that will gain seats usually support Republicans. Many of the states losing seats usually vote for Democrats⁴. Amy Walter is political director for ABC News.

AMY WALTER: “There are some experts who are looking at this data and saying that based on what they see now, Republicans could add ten more seats to their total.”

State legislatures and governors are responsible for setting the borders of congressional districts. Republican gains in the elections last month will strengthen their power in the redistricting process that is to begin next year.

Census Bureau Director Robert Groves announces the official count of the nation’s population.

The change in House seats might also affect the voting for president. Under the Constitution, the number of electoral votes each state has is based on its total number of House and Senate seats. Adding some House seats to the South and West might help the Republican candidate for president in twenty-twelve.

The census report shows that Hispanics are a major reason for population growth in states like Texas, Arizona and Florida. Since Hispanics usually vote Democratic, experts say this may help Democrats in the long-term.

And that's IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English. I'm Steve

1 census   

n.(官方的)人口调查，人口普查

参考例句：

• A census of population is taken every ten years.人口普查每10年进行一次。
• The census is taken one time every four years in our country.我国每四年一次人口普查。

2 populous   

adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的

参考例句：

• London is the most populous area of Britain.伦敦是英国人口最稠密的地区。
• China is the most populous developing country in the world.中国是世界上人口最多的发展中国家。

3 groves   

树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The early sun shone serenely on embrowned groves and still green fields. 朝阳宁静地照耀着已经发黄的树丛和还是一片绿色的田地。
• The trees grew more and more in groves and dotted with old yews. 那里的树木越来越多地长成了一簇簇的小丛林，还点缀着几棵老紫杉树。

4 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》