This is IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.
这里是美国之音慢速英语新闻报道节目。
This week, the United States Census 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.
本周，美国人口调查局公布了美国人口官方统计，截至今年4月1日，美国人口总数为308,745,538人。
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.
近十年美国人口增加了9.7%，这是二十世纪三十年代以来美国人口增速最低的十年。专家称，原因是某些群体出生率下降，以及经济危机导致的移民人数减少。
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.
其中两个州人口增长最多。德州人口增加了400万，增幅位居各州之首。内华达州人口增速最快，其人口比2000年上一次人口普查时增加了35%。
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.
纵观全国，南部和西部地区人口增加最多。美国人口继续从东北部和中西部地区向南部和西部地区迁移。这种情况已经持续了40年。
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 populous, Wyoming, has only one seat.
美国宪法要求每十年进行人口普查，这样做的目的是在美国各州公平分配435个众议院投票选区。每名众议员平均代表70万人，人口最多的州比人口较少的州拥有更多的国会席位。人口最多的加州拥有53个众议院席位。而人口最少的怀俄明州，只有一个席位。
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.
普查结果导致18个州的众议院席位发生改变。德州将增加4席，增幅位居各州之首。佛罗里达州将增加2席。南部和西部的另外6个州将分别增加1席。而俄亥俄州和纽约州将分别减少2席。
Eight states, mostly in the Northeast and Midwest, will lose one seat each.
另外8个州，主要位于东北部和中西部，将分别失去1席。
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 Democrats. Amy Walter is political director for ABC News.
一些专家说，普查报告对共和党来说可能是好消息。大部分将增加席位的州通常支持共和党。多数减少席位的州通常支持民主党。艾米·沃尔特是美国广播公司新闻政治主任。
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."
沃尔特：“有些看过了普查数据的专家表示，根据他们现在看到的情况，共和党的众议院总席位可能会增加十席。”
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.
州议会和州长负责划分国会选区。共和党在11月中期选举的获胜将提升其在明年选区重划过程中的实力。
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.
众议院席位的变化也可能影响到总统选举。根据宪法，各州的选举人团数量基于该州在众议院和参议院两院的总席位。南部和西部地区众议院席位的增加可能将对2012年共和党总统候选人有利。
注：美国总统由各个州选举人团选举产生,而不是由全国的选票计数产生。
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.
普查报告显示，拉美裔人口是德克萨斯，亚利桑那和佛罗里达等州人口增长的一个重要原因。由于拉美裔美国人通常投票给民主党，专家称，这可能将对民主党人长期有利。