Bill Overview
Title: Ensuring a Fair and Accurate Census Act
Description: This bill addresses the operations of the Bureau of the Census. Specifically, the bill (1) requires the Deputy Director of the bureau to appoint an employee responsible for optimizing racial and ethnic equity in the decennial census of population; and (2) provides statutory authority for specified advisory committees. The bureau may not include in the census any subject, type of information, or question that was not submitted to Congress. The bureau must submit to Congress a report biannually that (1) describes each component of the operational plan for the subsequent decennial census of population; and (2) includes a detailed statement on the status of all research, testing, and operations that are part of the bureau's comprehensive plan for the decennial census. The bureau must submit to Congress a certification stating that any question that has not appeared on the previous two decennial censuses has been researched, studied, and tested according to established statistical policies and procedures. The Government Accountability Office must review such certification and report to Congress on whether the questions to be included have been researched, studied, and tested according to such policies and procedures. The bureau, by January 1, 2026, and every 10 years thereafter, must transmit to Congress a lifecycle cost estimate for the decennial census of population first occurring after the date of transmittal. The bureau must submit to Congress a report on local-level data and local field operations.
Sponsors: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Target Audience
Population: All people in areas indirectly affected by U.S. census data, with focus on U.S. residents
Estimated Size: 332000000
- The decennial census is a population count that affects apportionment of congressional seats, allocation of federal funds, and community planning.
- The census impacts a wide range of governmental policies and decisions, affecting nearly every U.S. resident.
- The inclusion of advisory committees and a focus on racial and ethnic equity aims to improve accuracy and representation, affecting those who may be underrepresented.
- Ensuring accurate data collection and reporting mechanisms will impact all individuals who provide information in the census, as this data is used for a variety of public services and policy-making decisions.
Reasoning
- The Ensuring a Fair and Accurate Census Act targets improved representation and equity in census operations, with special emphasis on racial and ethnic minorities who are traditionally underrepresented in census data.
- The budget constraints and the need for advisory committees and operational roles impact both the administration of the census and the accuracy of the data obtained.
- A key consideration is how the accuracy of census data influences the allocation of federal funds and political representation, directly affecting resources for services in communities.
- By simulating interviews from diverse backgrounds, we can gauge the broad societal impact, considering that not all individuals will perceive immediate changes in wellbeing, but long-term effects should not be underestimated.
Simulated Interviews
social worker (New York, NY)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe an accurate census is crucial for our community because it ensures we receive fair political representation and resources.
- It's vital that racial and ethnic minorities are counted properly; this could impact my work improving community services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
database administrator (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not directly involved in the census, but I understand its importance for resource distribution.
- Ensuring data accuracy is essential, though it might not affect me personally immediately.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
elementary school teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Education funding relies on accurate census data, so this policy could impact my students' resources.
- Focusing on racial equity means minority students may receive better educational opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
hospitality manager (Houston, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More representation in the census could mean better services for my community.
- I doubt I'll see immediate changes, but it's a step in the right direction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 68 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Strengthening the accuracy of the census could help our community receive more support, which is greatly needed.
- I'm not sure how much it will change my life at my age, but it's beneficial for future generations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
college student (Portland, OR)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm actively engaged in social issues, and an accurate census helps address systemic inequalities.
- This policy might promote inclusivity, although I may not feel a direct impact immediately.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
construction worker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m concerned about being undercounted, which affects our community's resources.
- The policy might help people like me be more visible, though I doubt it will change things overnight.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
journalist (Boston, MA)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a journalist, I know accurate census data is crucial for highlighting discrepancies and inequality.
- This policy seems to prioritize transparency, which is a step forward.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
software engineer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the importance of accurate data for tech and planning, though I feel only indirectly impacted by the policy.
- Data accuracy affects innovation and policy development.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
city council member (Pittsburgh, PA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Getting the census right means a lot for how cities like ours plan for the future.
- Increased accuracy impacts public policy and funding, benefiting all residents.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $55000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $65000000)
Year 3: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 5: $65000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $75000000)
Year 10: $75000000 (Low: $65000000, High: $85000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Key Considerations
- Impact and cost allocation for employing a new dedicated official to optimize racial and ethnic equity.
- Expenses related to setting up and maintaining statutory advisory committees for census operation oversight.
- Costs associated with biannual and other regular reporting requirements to Congress.
- Financial implications of studies and certifications required for non-precedent census questions.
- The potential for increased labor and administrative overhead to collaborate with the GAO.