FY2018 Appropriations Overview: Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis
Released: 2018-03-23T00:00:00

Summary: This report discusses FY2018 appropriations (discretionary budget authority) for the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau), historic components of the Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) in the U.S. Department of Commerce. This report will be updated as legislative developments warrant.

The Administration's FY2018 budget request assumes the termination of ESA and proposes $97.0 million for BEA, $6.8 million (6.6%) less than the $103.8 million enacted for FY2017.

The FY2018 request for the Census Bureau is $1,497.0 million, $27.0 million (1.8%) more than the FY2017-enacted $1,470.0 million. The FY2018 request is divided between the bureau's two major accounts: $246.0 million for Current Surveys and Programs, $24.0 million (8.9%) less than the $270.0 million enacted for FY2017; and $1,251.0 million for Periodic Censuses and Programs, $51.0 million (4.3%) more than the $1,200.0 million approved for FY2017. The foremost program under this account is the 2020 Decennial Census, with an $800.2 million FY2018 request that is $32.9 million (4.3%) above the $767.3 million enacted for FY2017. A second key program is the American Community Survey (ACS), with an FY2018 request of $213.6 million, $8.0 million (3.6%) below the $221.6 million FY2017-enacted amount.

The House Committee on Appropriations reported H.R. 3267, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018 (CJS), on July 17, 2017. Committee-recommended funding for BEA in FY2018 is $96.0 million, $1.0 million (1.0%) less than requested and $7.8 million (7.5%) less than enacted for FY2017. The Census Bureau would receive $1,507.0 million in FY2018, $37.0 million (2.5%) more than enacted for FY2017 and $10.0 million (0.7%) above the FY2018 request. The $256.0 million recommended for Current Surveys and Programs is $14.0 million (5.2%) below the FY2017-enacted amount and $10.0 million (4.1%) more than requested for FY2018. Periodic Censuses and Programs would receive the requested $1,251.0 million, $51.0 million (4.3%) more than enacted for FY2017. H.R. 3267, as reported, became Division C of H.R. 3354, which the House passed on September 14, 2017.

The Senate Committee on Appropriations reported its FY2018 CJS appropriations bill, S. 1662, on July 27, 2017. It continues to recognize ESA and recommends funding it at $99.0 million in FY2018, $8.3 million (7.7%) below the $107.3 million enacted for ESA in FY2017, $2.0 million (2.1%) more than the FY2018 request for BEA, and $3.0 million (3.1%) more than the House-passed BEA funding level. The Census Bureau would receive $1,521.0 million in FY2018, $51.0 million (3.5%) over the FY2017-enacted amount, $24.0 million (1.6%) above the request, and $14.0 million (0.9%) more than the House recommendation. The Senate committee recommends $270.0 million for Current Surveys and Programs in FY2018, identical to what was enacted for FY2017, $24.0 million (9.8%) more than the FY2018 request, and $14.0 million (5.5%) above the House-passed level. Periodic Censuses and Programs would receive $1,251.0 million in FY2018, which matches the requested and House-passed amounts and is $51.0 million (4.3%) above the FY2017-enacted level.

FY2017 ended without enactment of final FY2018 CJS appropriations legislation. Four continuing appropriations acts provided federal agencies with FY2018 funding at FY2017 appropriations levels, reduced by 0.6791%, through February 8, 2018. The Census Bureau, however, could apportion the funds for Periodic Censuses and Programs "up to the rate for operations necessary to maintain the schedule and deliver the required data according to statutory deadlines in the 2020 Decennial Census Program." A fifth act, H.R. 1892, P.L. 115-123, continues these provisions through March 23, 2018, with an additional $182.0 million for the 2020 census.


subsections: section_title: Introduction
paragraphs: This report presents an overview of the FY2018 budget request, related congressional actions, and appropriations (discretionary budget authority) for the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau). These entities historically made up the Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) in the U.S. Department of Commerce, which is funded under annual appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and science and related agencies (CJS).

The Administration's FY2018 budget justification for the Economics and Statistics Administration/BEA states that the past functions of ESA encompassed "the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs and policy guidance in support of department-wide economic and statistical programs and initiatives." The Under Secretary historically "performed as the Administrator" of ESA, but this role is proposed to end in FY2018 because ESA is to "cease operations," in "an effort to reduce duplication, streamline operations, and realize budget efficiency." The proposal calls for continued funding of BEA, while the Under Secretary is to "reside within the Office of the Secretary and provide direct support to the Secretary" and the Commerce Department's "economic and statistical community, which include[s] BEA and the Census Bureau."

 Table 1 , below, shows the FY2017-enacted and FY2018-requested amounts for ESA, BEA, and the Census Bureau, with its two major accounts. Also shown are the FY2018 amounts passed by the House and recommended by the Senate Committee on Appropriations for ESA (Senate), BEA (House), and the Census Bureau.
subsections: section_title: Economics and Statistics Administration/Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Census Bureau
subsections: section_title: Economics and Statistics Administration
paragraphs: As noted above, the FY2018 budget justification for the Economics and Statistics Administration/BEA provides that ESA is to "cease operation s" in this fiscal year and that the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs is to "reside within" the Commerce Secretary's office. Secretary Wilbur Ross testified to Congress in 2017 that the Under Secretary is to have "direct oversight" over BEA and the Census Bureau. 

section_title: Bureau of Economic Analysis
paragraphs: The Bureau of Economic Analysis, like the Census Bureau, is one of 13 principal federal statistical agencies, each of whose primary mission is statistical work. According to the FY2018 budget justification for ESA/BEA, "BEA's national, industry, regional, and international economic accounts present valuable information on critical issues such as U.S. economic growth, regional economic development, inter-industry relationships, and the Nation's position in the world economy." The "statistical measures produced by BEA include gross domestic product (GDP), personal income and outlays, corporate profits, GDP by state and county, GDP by metropolitan area, balance of payments, and GDP by industry."

section_title: Census Bureau
paragraphs: The Census Bureau conducts the decennial census under Title 13 of the U nited S tates Code , which also authorizes the bureau to collect and compile a great variety of other sociodemographic, economic, and housing data, and information about different levels of government. The bureau's activities include the production of Current Economic Statistics that provide wide-ranging, detailed data about the U.S. economy; Current Demographic Statistics, among which are intercensal population estimates, population projections, and Current Population Reports ; and, in addition to the decennial census, the American Community Survey and two quinquennial censuses, the economic census and the census of governments.

section_title: The FY2018 Budget Request
subsections: section_title: Economics and Statistics Administration/Bureau of Economic Analysis
paragraphs: The Administration's FY2018 budget request for BEA is $97.0 million, $6.8 million (6.6%) less than the $103.8 million enacted for FY2017. No FY2018 funding is requested for ESA, because, under the proposed budget, it is to terminate. Proposed reductions within BEA include efforts to measure separately the "impact of small businesses on the U.S. economy, the incorporation of enhanced healthcare measures into the core GDP accounts, and trade in services data for dynamic industries of the U.S. economy," such as research and development, intellectual property, financial services, health services, and information technology services. The budget justification states that "Careful consideration was given to those initiatives that could be reduced with minimal impact on BEA's core programs." The Administration "proposes no new initiatives" for BEA in FY2018.

section_title: Census Bureau
paragraphs: The Administration's FY2018 budget request for the Census Bureau is $1,497.0 million, $27.0 million (1.8%) more than the FY2017-enacted amount of $1,470.0 million. As noted later in this report, the bureau typically seeks large funding increases toward the end of every decade, due to its heightened preparations for the census that occurs in each calendar year ending in zero. Requested funding for the decennial census, by far the bureau's most costly and visible endeavor, usually peaks in the census year and decreases steeply thereafter.

The FY2018 request is divided between the bureau's two major accounts:

Current Surveys and Programs would receive $246.0 million, $24.0 million (8.9%) less than the $270.0 million enacted for FY2017 and 16.4% of the total requested for the bureau; Periodic Censuses and Programs—the account that funds the decennial census—would receive $1,251.0 million, $51.0 million (4.3%) more than the $1,200.0 million approved for FY2017 and 83.6% of the bureau's total request.
subsections: section_title: Current Surveys and Programs
paragraphs: The Current Surveys and Programs account consists of Current Economic Statistics and Current Demographic Statistics.
subsections: section_title: Current Economic Statistics
paragraphs: The FY2018 budget request for Current Economic Statistics is $171.9 million, $5.1 million (2.9%) less than the $177.0 million approved for FY2017.

These statistics, from the major sources and programs noted below, provide wide-ranging, detailed data about the U.S. economy.

Business statistics come from sources such as current retail, wholesale, and service trade reports and, according to the FY2018 budget justification for the Census Bureau, "are important inputs" to BEA's estimates of gross domestic product and to "the Federal Reserve Board and Council of Economic Advisers for the formulation of monetary and fiscal policies and analysis of economic policies." Construction statistics "provide national performance indicators for the construction sector of the economy." They are derived from data on building permits, housing starts, and "construction put in place," which refers to the estimated total dollar value of construction work done in the nation each month. Manufacturing statistics come from sources including the Annual Survey of Manufactures and the Annual Capital Expenditures Survey of capital investments by private nonfarm businesses. They supplement data from the economic census and, as the budget justification points out, provide a "critical economic benchmark" by measuring "the overall performance of the U.S. manufacturing sector." General economic statistics encompass, to cite examples from the budget justification, the business register, which "identifies the business populations covered by economic censuses and surveys"; the North American Industry Classification System, which "provides a consistent industry classification system for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico every five years"; and surveys on the finances of U.S. corporations for the bureau's Quarterly Financial Reports. The budget proposal characterizes general economic statistics as "essential to understanding the changing economic structure" of the United States. Foreign trade statistics , from sources such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Canadian agencies, "provide official monthly statistics on imports, exports, and balance of trade for all types of merchandise moving between the U.S. and its international trading partners." Government statistics are compiled from surveys of state and local governments. They cover the "revenues, expenditures, debt, and financial assets" of these governments, as well as "public employment and payroll."

section_title: Current Demographic Statistics
paragraphs: For Current Demographic Statistics in FY2018, the budget request is $74.1 million, $5.9 million (7.4%) below the $80.0 million FY2017 funding level.

These statistics include the following collections and analyses of demographic data:

A key household survey under Current Demographic Statistics is the monthly Current Population Survey (CPS) of about 58,000 U.S. households that the Census Bureau has conducted for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) "for more than 50 years," with about two-thirds of the funding supplied by BLS. Although the CPS's primary purpose is "to provide detailed labor force characteristics of the civilian non-institutional population and the monthly unemployment rate, a leading economic indicator," the survey also produces housing vacancy data and includes regular supplements that gather additional data. As examples, the CPS conducts the Annual Social and Economic Supplement every March, a Fertility Supplement every other June, a School Enrollment Supplement every October, and a Voting and Registration Supplement every other November. Further, "other agencies sponsor supplements to the CPS in other months." These supplements cover topics such as "child support and alimony, tobacco use, volunteers, and food security." The bureau's population and housing analyses include the Current Population Reports , based on CPS and other data, about various characteristics of the U.S. population; research concerning income, poverty, and wealth in the United States; and housing statistics compiled from the Housing Vacancy Survey. The bureau's intercensal demographic estimates provide, between the decennial censuses, a series of population estimates by age, sex, race, and Hispanic ethnicity for the total United States, states, and counties; estimated population totals for sub-county areas and metropolitan areas; estimates by age and sex for Puerto Rico and the municipios; and national-, state-, and county-level estimates of housing units. In addition, population projections analyze administrative data and population trends to indicate the future sizes of the U.S. and state populations. The bureau's demographic surveys sample redesign provides improved sampling methods, sample designs, and data processing systems "essential to maintain the relevance, accuracy, and quality" of "the major household surveys" that the bureau conducts wholly or partly under the sponsorship of other federal agencies. 

section_title: Periodic Censuses and Programs
paragraphs: Under this account—with an FY2018 budget request that, as previously mentioned, constitutes 83.6% of the total for the Census Bureau—the bureau has identified certain programs considered critical for creating "a data-driven government." They include the 2020 Decennial Census, American Community Survey (ACS), 2017 Economic Census, and 2017 Census of Governments. Below is a discussion of each program, followed by information about the bureau's new IT initiative, the Census Enterprise Data Collection and Processing System (CEDCaP), which will affect multiple data collections.
subsections: section_title: The 2020 Decennial Census
paragraphs: The U.S. Constitution requires a population census every 10 years, to serve as the basis for apportioning seats in the House of Representatives. Decennial census data also are used for within-state redistricting and, together with census-related American Community Survey data and intercensal population estimates, in certain formulas that partly or entirely determine the annual distribution of more than $675 billion in federal funds to states and localities.

The Administration requests $800.2 million for the 2020 Decennial Census in FY2018, a $32.9 million (4.3%) increase from the $767.3 million enacted for FY2017. The 2020 census request, which is 64.0% of the total for the Periodic Censuses and Programs account and 53.5% of the total for the Census Bureau, reflects the cyclical "ramp-up" of preparations for the next census.

Mandate to Control the Cost of the Census . As directed by Congress, the Census Bureau is attempting to design and conduct the 2020 census at a lower inflation-adjusted cost per housing unit than in 2010. In April 2015 congressional testimony, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) stated that the cost to enumerate each housing unit "escalated from around $16 in 1970 to around $94 in 2010, in constant 2010 dollars (an increase of over 500 percent)." At a total life-cycle cost approaching $13 billion, the 2010 census was the most expensive in U.S. history. Its cost was about 56% greater than the 2000 census total of $8.1 billion, in constant 2010 dollars.

The bureau is focusing on 2020 census cost-control innovations in four major areas

Before past censuses, the bureau conducted address canvassing to try to ensure that it had the correct addresses and map locations of all U.S. residences. For the 2020 census, the bureau proposes canvassing the whole nation, as in previous censuses, but, to the extent possible, updating its Master Address File and Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing system (MAF/TIGER) by in-office use of geographic information systems and aerial imagery, not by more labor intensive, and thus more costly, in-field canvassing. The 1970 through 2010 censuses were primarily mail-out, mail-back operations. The bureau proposes replacing as much of the mail phase of the 2020 census as possible by offering the public an online response option. Other options will include by telephone, with assistance from census telephone interviewers, and by mailed paper questionnaires. Besides placing greater reliance on technology to promote the census, the bureau is implementing a "communications and partnership campaign to engage and encourage the use of the Internet as the primary response mode." The campaign "will provide information to government agencies, host events at community, recreation, and faith-based organizations," and publicize the census "through radio advertising and social media." The bureau also will permit online responses to be submitted "without a unique identification code" for each questionnaire. In past censuses, the bureau generally followed up with nonrespondents by telephoning them or visiting their homes. The bureau proposes using administrative records, such as existing information from the federal and state governments, as well as "third-party data" from, for example, "commercial sources," to reduce the extent of nonresponse follow-up in 2020. For whatever nonresponse follow-up remains necessary, the bureau proposes using an "operational control system" to automate certain tasks and make "decisions that were previously made by people during field operations," such as case assignments and number of attempted contacts with nonrespondents. The objective is to "reduce the staffing, infrastructure, and brick and mortar footprint required for the 2020 Census." The bureau expects to establish six regional census centers, instead of the 12 established for the 2010 census; two paper processing centers, versus three for 2010; and about 250 area census offices, versus almost 500 local census offices for 2010. The number of enumerators is to be reduced by about half, from almost 600,000 for 2010 to about 300,000 for 2020.

The bureau initially estimated that these innovations could save more than $5 billion. Its estimate of the cost to repeat the 2010 design in the 2020 census was $17.8 billion, compared with $12.5 billion for a reengineered census. In 2017 congressional testimony, however, Commerce Secretary Ross gave a revised 2020 census cost estimate of $15.6 billion, which he attributed to an earlier "overestimation of savings and an underestimation of the difficulty of implementing and integrating technological innovations to conduct the Decennial Census." Secretary Ross testified that the Commerce Department was "working with our House and Senate appropriators" on a request for "a $187 million adjustment for FY2018." The additional funds, he said, would permit "a significant course correction to keep crucial programs on track for the 2020 Census and provide much-needed financial oversight and better management at the Census Bureau."

FY201 8 Activities in Preparation for the 2020 Census . Summarized below are the major census-related activities that the bureau has begun or intends to undertake or complete in FY2018. 

The foremost activity for FY2018 is the end-to-end 2020 census test. It originally was to cover more than 700,000 housing units: approximately 330,000 units in Pierce County, Washington; 265,000 units in Providence County, Rhode Island; and 175,000 units in nine West Virginia counties that include the cities of Beckley, Bluefield, and Oak Hill. Address canvassing for the test still will occur in these sites, but, due to past budget shortfalls, other operations will be limited to Providence County. As the budget justification notes, this site was retained "because it presents specific opportunities and challenges" for the bureau, including high housing vacancy rates, varying levels of internet connectivity, a combination of urban and suburban areas, communication in multiple languages rather than uniformly English, a large group quarters population, "non-traditional addressing styles," and sociodemographic diversity. The budget justification cautions that delayed or insufficient FY2018 appropriations could "result in the Census Bureau not being ready" for the crucial test, which will afford the "last opportunity" before 2020 to determine whether "reengineered census operations and systems" function as intended. "An inability to test and refine major pieces of this complex architecture" could jeopardize the census and result in "significant cost increases or deterioration in data quality." The budget justification states that, by the end of FY2017, the bureau expected to have processed 70% of U.S. addresses through in-office canvassing and was "on schedule" to finish the remaining 30% in FY2018. In-field canvassing of addresses needing further verification is to begin in the first quarter of FY2019. In FY2018, the bureau is to continue developing the 2020 census communications and partnership program that it began in FY2017. Among its features will be a 2020 census website, a paid advertising campaign, "national and regional partnership efforts," with a "partnership database," a "social media presence," and a "Statistics in Schools program" to engage students and, by extension, their parents in the census process. "Significant in FY2018," according to the budget justification, will be the opening and staffing of six regional census centers, with associated IT infrastructure, to "serve as the hub of field operations" during the census. "Additionally, during FY2018, the acquisition, leasing, and build-out processes" for "acquiring approximately 250 area census offices and a second paper data capture center will begin." Also, as required under Title 13, Section 141 (f)(2), of the United States Code , the bureau is to deliver the 2020 census questions to Congress by April 1, 2018. The questions will cover the census topics, which were delivered on March 28, 2017. They include gender, age, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, relationship of each household member to the person filling out the census form, and whether the housing unit is owned or rented. In the words of the budget justification, "Any changes to the topics or questions after that point would have significant cost and schedule impacts on all English and Non-English questionnaires, the questionnaire vehicles (Internet, telephone, and paper), translation, and printing, and will put the 2020 Census at risk."

section_title: The American Community Survey
paragraphs: The American Community Survey, which the Census Bureau implemented nationwide in 2005 and 2006, is the replacement for the decennial census long form. From 1940 to 2000, the bureau used the long form to collect detailed socioeconomic and housing data from a representative sample of U.S. residents in conjunction with the once-a-decade count of the whole resident population. The ACS covers about 3.5 million households a year. It is sent monthly to small samples of the population, and the results are aggregated to produce data at regular intervals, yearly for areas with at least 65,000 people and every five years for areas from the most populous to those with fewer than 20,000 people. The survey is conducted in every county of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and all Puerto Rican municipios. The bureau releases more than 11 billion ACS estimates every year on more than 40 "social, demographic, housing, and economic" topics. For rural areas and small groups within the population, the ACS is the sole source of data on many of these topics.

The Administration's FY2018 request for the ACS is $213.6 million, $8.0 million (3.6%) below the FY2017-enacted amount of $221.6 million.

According to the budget justification, the Census Bureau plans certain modifications to ACS data collection efforts in FY2018.

In this fiscal year, the bureau will rely primarily on mail, internet, and Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) to collect ACS data. It will rely less on Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) for nonresponse follow-up and increase use of CAPI. The declining popularity of landline phones has made CATI less productive, so that the cost of "successful follow-up interviews has risen to the point where it equals" the cost of "personal visits to non-responding households." Simultaneously, "the number of attempts required to reach respondents via telephone has become a source of respondent complaints about the ACS." Cutting back on CATI, however, "will result in some loss to the quality of ACS data, especially in the smallest geographic areas," because CAPI will not include all nonresponding households. The bureau, too, "will reduce for FY2018 operations aimed at ensuring that field representatives working on the survey are fully trained and are following best practices." Another reduction will pertain to "planned research" on new ACS contents and methods.

section_title: The 2017 Economic Census
paragraphs: The economic census originated in the early 19 th century, when "Congress responded to a rapid increase in industrial activity" by instructing 1810 census enumerators to "'take an account of the several manufactures within their several districts, territories and divisions.'" As the budget justification states, the modern economic census, conducted every five years, is "the cornerstone of the Nation's economic statistics programs. It is the primary source of facts about the structure and functioning of the U.S. economy." Data from this census provide "the foundation for other key measures of economic performance," including GDP and the Bureau of Economic Analysis's national income and product accounts. Indeed, "practically all major Federal government economic statistical series are directly or indirectly dependent" on the economic census.

The Administration requests $100.6 million for economic census activities in FY2018, the same as enacted for FY2017.

FY2018 is the fourth year of the six-year funding cycle for the 2017 Economic Census, when efforts have shifted "from preparatory activities," like designing the census operations and determining the census contents, to "collection and processing of the data." The major activities for the census in FY2018 will consist of gathering data "on over 29 million establishments," providing "new products that are essential to understanding the modern economy," and "implementing 2017 revisions to the supply-oriented North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)," to reflect better "the structure of the U.S. economy."

As a cost-control measure and a way to reduce the burden of the census on respondents, according to the budget justification, the bureau has planned a 2017 Economic Census with "100% Internet" reporting. Also for the purpose of reducing respondent burden, the bureau is "exploring 'Big Data' concepts using third-party data" either in the 2017 census or later.

section_title: The 2017 Census of Governments
paragraphs: The census of governments, conducted since 1957, is the Census Bureau's other major quinquennial census. The budget justification states that, together, the economic census and census of governments account for "nearly all" of GDP and "provide baseline data" for the bureau's Current Economic Statistics. The census of governments is the principal source of information about the structure and functioning of state and local governments, which account for about 12% of GDP and 15% of the civilian labor force. Among the topics the census covers are government organization and "intergovernmental relationships"; the number of full-time and part-time government employees and their pay; and government finances, including revenues, expenditures, debt, "cash and securities holdings," and "assets of public pension systems."

The Administration's FY2018 request for the census of governments is $8.9 million, identical to the FY2017-enacted amount.

FY2018 is the third year of the five-year funding cycle for the 2017 Census of Governments, when the census design and contents have been set and attention is focused on data collection and processing. In this census, as in the economic census, the emphasis is on "100% Internet reporting." In addition, to reduce the reporting burden on respondents, the bureau "hopes to expand" the use of administrative records to obtain data through more data-sharing "agreements with governmental units." The bureau currently has such agreements with about 25 states. The bureau also plans more timely release of products from the 2017 census and updated product contents to give "a fuller picture of the financial situation of state and local governments and the economy as a whole."

section_title: Census Enterprise Data Collection and Processing System
paragraphs: FY2018 is the fourth year for the Census Enterprise Data Collection and Processing initiative, funded under the Periodic Censuses and Programs account. The budget justification states that CEDCaP is designed to be an "integrated and standardized enterprise suite of systems," encompassing such major data collections as the decennial census, ACS, economic census, and census of governments. It is intended to "reduce inefficiencies" through "shared data collection and processing services." With it, the bureau expects to "retire unique, survey-specific system and redundant capabilities and bring a greater portion" of IT expenditures under one "centrally managed program."

The Administration requests $137.3 million for CEDCaP in FY2018, $22.1 million (13.9%) below the $159.4 million FY2017-enacted amount.

The bureau plans "to finalize" certain CEDCaP capabilities in FY2018, "including delivery of several capabilities into production to support" the 2018 end-to-end census test. Another priority for this fiscal year is "to provide enterprise data collection capabilities for the 2017 Economic Census."

The development of CEDCaP has presented challenges, however. In April 2015 congressional testimony, GAO identified CEDCaP as "an IT investment in need of attention." Two months earlier, GAO had reported that

Particular attention to this area is warranted in order to avoid repeating the mistakes of the 2010 Decennial Census, in which the bureau had to abandon its plans for the use of handheld data collection devices, due in part to fundamental weaknesses in its implementation of key IT management practices.

Uncertainties surrounding CEDCaP were a factor when GAO included the 2020 census in its "high-risk" list in 2015 and 2017.

In 2017 congressional testimony, Commerce Secretary Ross acknowledged a 40% cost overrun in CEDCaP, the result, he observed, of initially underestimating how difficult the "technological innovations" for the 2020 census would be to implement and integrate.

section_title: House Action
subsections: section_title: Economics and Statistics Administration/Bureau of Economic Analysis
paragraphs: The House Committee on Appropriations reported H.R. 3267 , the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018, on July 17, 2017. The committee-recommended funding for BEA in FY2018 is $96.0 million, $1.0 million (1.0%) less than the requested $97.0 million, and $7.8 million (7.5%) below the $103.8 million enacted for FY2017. The House bill does not mention ESA, which, as previously discussed, the Administration has proposed to terminate. The accompanying committee report states that the $96.0 million recommendation "adopts the reorganization proposal," in which ESA is to cease operating and the Commerce Under Secretary for Economic Affairs is to be located in the Office of the Secretary. H.R. 3267 , as reported, became Division C of H.R. 3354 , an omnibus appropriations bill that the House passed on September 14, 2017.

section_title: Census Bureau
paragraphs: H.R. 3267 , as reported by the House Appropriations Committee and incorporated into H.R. 3354 , would provide $1,507.0 million for the Census Bureau in FY2018, $37.0 million (2.5%) more than the FY2017 funding level of $1,470.0 million and $10.0 million (0.7%) above the $1,497.0 million requested for FY2018.

Current Surveys and Programs would receive $256.0 million, $14.0 million (5.2%) below the FY2017-enacted amount of $270.0 million and $10.0 million (4.1%) more than the $246.0 million requested for FY2018.

Periodic Censuses and Programs would be funded at $1,251.0 million, the same amount as requested for FY2018 and $51.0 million (4.3%) more than the $1,200.0 million enacted for FY2017. The bill provides for transferring $2.6 million of the amount for Periodic Censuses and Programs to the Commerce Department's Office of Inspector General (OIG) for Census Bureau oversight.

The House committee report's minority views express concern that the Census Bureau is "inadequately funded. Although the Periodic Censuses and Programs account is given the requested amount in FY2018," the Administration is proposing to "scale back" greatly the "2020 Census planning and testing tools that are needed now to prevent higher costs in the next few years." Less early testing, these Members state, also considerably "increases the risk of information technology failures like those in the last [2010] decennial census, which would cause significant future cost overruns."

section_title: Senate Action
subsections: section_title: Economics and Statistics Administration/Bureau of Economic Analysis
paragraphs: The Senate Committee on Appropriations reported its FY2018 CJS appropriations bill, S. 1662 , on July 27, 2017, with recommended funding of $99.0 million for ESA. The $99.0 million is $8.3 million (7.7%) less than the $107.3 million enacted for ESA in FY2017, $2.0 million (2.1%) more than the $97.0 million FY2018 request for BEA, and $3.0 million (3.1%) more than the House-passed $96.0 million for BEA in FY2018. The committee report states that 

The Committee does not object to the Department's proposed consolidation of the Economics and Statistics Administration and the Bureau of Economic Analysis [BEA]; however, the proposed consolidation will not be approved until a reprogramming package detailing the planned consolidation is approved by the Committee. The reprogramming should include additional information about the impacts of the consolidation, including whether Gross Domestic Product [GDP] estimates and other critical economic reports will be released by BEA or by the Office of the Secretary; an accounting of which positions will be moved to BEA or to the Office of the Secretary, or will be eliminated entirely; and how the Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs will oversee BEA, the Bureau of the Census, and activities conducted within the Office of the Secretary.

section_title: Census Bureau
paragraphs: As reported by the Senate Appropriations Committee, S. 1662 recommends $1,521.0 million for the Census Bureau in FY2018, $51.0 million (3.5%) over the $1,470.0 million FY2017-enacted amount, $24.0 million (1.6%) above the $1,497.0 million budget request, and $14.0 million (0.9%) more than the $1,507.0 million House-passed amount.

The FY2018 committee-recommended amount for Current Surveys and Programs is $270.0 million, identical to what was enacted for FY2017, $24.0 million (9.8%) more than the $246.0 million FY2018 request, and $14.0 million (5.5%) above the House-passed $256.0 million.

For Periodic Censuses and Programs in FY2018, the committee recommends $1,251.0 million, which matches the requested and House-passed amounts and is $51.0 million (4.3%) above the $1,200.0 million FY2017-enacted level. The committee-reported bill, like its House-passed counterpart, would provide the Commerce Department's OIG with $2.6 million for continued "oversight and audits of periodic censuses" and "independent recommendations" for operational improvements.

The committee report directs that "The Bureau shall continue to work to bring down the cost of the 2020 Decennial Census to a level less than the 2010 Census, not adjusting for inflation." At the same time, the report mentions the committee's concern that its recommendation of the requested funding level for Periodic Censuses and Programs "may not be adequate to meet the Bureau's planning, testing, and development needs" for the approaching census, "particularly in light of the 47-percent increase in the lifecycle cost estimate" for CEDCaP. Commerce Secretary Ross, as previously noted, acknowledged in congressional testimony a 40% cost overrun in CEDCaP and stated that the Census Bureau was seeking an extra $187 million for the census in FY2018.

section_title: Continuing Appropriations Acts, 2018
paragraphs: Final FY2018 CJS appropriations legislation was not enacted by the end of FY2017. Four short-term continuing appropriations acts funded federal agencies from October 1, 2017, through February 8, 2018, except for an appropriations lapse that began on January 20, 2018, and ended on January 22, 2018.

H.R. 601 , Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018, and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017, was enacted on September 8, 2017, as P.L. 115-56 . In general, Division D, Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018, Section 101, provided federal agencies with FY2018 funding at FY2017 appropriations levels, reduced by 0.6791%, through December 8, 2017. Division D, Section 118, however, allowed the Census Bureau to apportion the funds provided under Section 101 for Periodic Censuses and Programs "up to the rate for operations necessary to maintain the schedule and deliver the required data according to statutory deadlines in the 2020 Decennial Census Program." H.J.Res. 123 , P.L. 115-90 , Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018, and for Other Purposes, became law on December 8, 2017. Division A, Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018, extended the provisions of P.L. 115-56 , Division D, through December 22, 2017. H.R. 1370 , P.L. 115-96 , An Act to Amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and for Other Purposes, was enacted on December 22, 2017. Division A, Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018, extended the provisions of P.L. 115-56 , Division D, through January 19, 2018. H.R. 195 , P.L. 115-120 , Making Further Continuing Appropriations for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2018, and for Other Purposes, became law on January 22, 2018. Division B, Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018, extended the provisions of P.L. 115-56 , Division D, through February 8, 2018.

A fifth bill, H.R. 1892 , P.L. 115-123 , the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, was signed into law on February 9, 2018. Division B, Supplemental Appropriations, Tax Relief, and Medicaid Changes Relating to Certain Disasters and Further Extension of Continuing Appropriations, extends the provisions of P.L. 115-56 , Division D, through March 23, 2018, with an additional $182.0 million for the 2020 census.


Question-summary annotations: questions: question: How does the FY2018 request for the Census Bureau compare to the previous year's?
answer: The FY2018 request for the Census Bureau is $1,497.0 million, $27.0 million (1.8%) more than the FY2017-enacted $1,470.0 million.
child_questions: question: How is the FY2018 request divided?
answer: The FY2018 request is divided between the bureau's two major accounts: $246.0 million for Current Surveys and Programs, $24.0 million (8.9%) less than the $270.0 million enacted for FY2017; and $1,251.0 million for Periodic Censuses and Programs, $51.0 million (4.3%) more than the $1,200.0 million approved for FY2017.
child_questions: question: What are the most important programs under the Periodic Censuses and Programs account?
answer: The foremost program under this account is the 2020 Decennial Census, with an $800.2 million FY2018 request that is $32.9 million (4.3%) above the $767.3 million enacted for FY2017. A second key program is the American Community Survey (ACS), with an FY2018 request of $213.6 million, $8.0 million (3.6%) below the $221.6 million FY2017-enacted amount.

questions: question: What did the House Committee on Appropriations do in 2017?
answer: The House Committee on Appropriations reported H.R. 3267, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018 (CJS), on July 17, 2017. Committee-recommended funding for BEA in FY2018 is $96.0 million, $1.0 million (1.0%) less than requested and $7.8 million (7.5%) less than enacted for FY2017.
child_questions: question: How did census funding change from 2017 to 2018?
answer: The Census Bureau would receive $1,507.0 million in FY2018, $37.0 million (2.5%) more than enacted for FY2017 and $10.0 million (0.7%) above the FY2018 request. The $256.0 million recommended for Current Surveys and Programs is $14.0 million (5.2%) below the FY2017-enacted amount and $10.0 million (4.1%) more than requested for FY2018. Periodic Censuses and Programs would receive the requested $1,251.0 million, $51.0 million (4.3%) more than enacted for FY2017.

question: What happened to H.R. 3267?
answer: H.R. 3267, as reported, became Division C of H.R. 3354, which the House passed on September 14, 2017.

questions: question: How were federal agencies funded at the end of FY2017?
answer: FY2017 ended without enactment of final FY2018 CJS appropriations legislation. Four continuing appropriations acts provided federal agencies with FY2018 funding at FY2017 appropriations levels, reduced by 0.6791%, through February 8, 2018.
child_questions: question: How did the Census Bureau differ from other agencies in its ability to apportion funds?
answer: The Census Bureau, however, could apportion the funds for Periodic Censuses and Programs "up to the rate for operations necessary to maintain the schedule and deliver the required data according to statutory deadlines in the 2020 Decennial Census Program."

question: How did H.R. 1892 affect federal agency funding for 2018?
answer: A fifth act, H.R. 1892, P.L. 115-123, continues these provisions through March 23, 2018, with an additional $182.0 million for the 2020 census.