The Insights Association joined with 60 groups urging the Trump Administration to fulfill his “demonstrated commitment to a strong FY 2027 budget for the U.S. Census Bureau” by requesting an “anomaly” in any upcoming continuing resolution to fund the government. The Senate acted upon IA’s recommendation.
According to the July 29, 2026 letter to Commerce Secretary Harold Lutnick, organized by The Census Project, “Since it appears unlikely Congress will pass and send final FY 2027 appropriations bills to the President to sign before the end of September, Congress and the Administration will need to agree upon a continuing resolution (CR) to keep federal agencies, including the U.S. Census Bureau, operational.”
Following the letter, the Senate included a funding anomaly for the Bureau in its draft Continuing Resolution, expected to be voted upon early this week on the Senate floor. The text of Sec. 120 of the bill reads: “Bureau of the Census—Periodic Censuses and Programs. This section allows amounts made available for the Bureau of the Census to be apportioned at a rate necessary to prepare for the 2030 Decennial Census.”
An unofficial draft list of President Trump’s requests for funding anomalies had circulated in the capitol a few weeks prior, but it did not include the census.
The coalition letter noted a litany of important activities that could be jeopardized by an insufficient uptick in funding at this juncture, such as "analyzing the results of the 2026 Census Test; conducting the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) operation, which allows tribal, state, and local governments to submit address lists and maps to the Bureau to help ensure universal coverage in the decennial headcount and reduce the scope of costly field address canvassing; and, ideally, launching a communications and partnership program.” In addition to those 2030 Census activities, the Census Bureau needs to “continuously field the American Community Survey” (ACS).
“The combined core missions overlap multiple fiscal years, requiring fluctuating funding levels over the course of the decade-long ramp up to the next Decennial Census and to prepare for the quinquennial Economic Census. In recognition of these unique circumstances, previous Administrations have historically requested funding anomalies, granting the U.S. Census Bureau permission to spend at a higher rate for the duration of a CR. The U.S. Census Bureau, for example, received funding anomalies in FY 2010, 2018, 2019, and 2020, allowing them to keep critical planning and research activities on schedule despite disruptions in the annual appropriations process.”
The coalition letter closed by applauding the “strong funding level for the U.S. Census Bureau” requested by the Trump Administration for FY 2027, and that, “If the current appropriations process lapses, we urge you to reinforce your commitment to the U.S. Census Bureau by adding the agency to the Administration’s requested list of funding anomalies as deliberations regarding the FY 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill continue.”
IA will continue to advocate for funding for the 2030 Census and the ACS. While it looks like the Senate will provide a funding anomaly, the House of Representatives has already left for its August recess, having passed a continuing resolution without any census-specific provisions.
About the Author
Based in Washington, DC, Howard is the Insights Association's lobbyist for the marketing research and data analytics industry, focusing primarily on consumer privacy and data security, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), tort reform, and the funding and integrity of the decennial Census and the American Community Survey (ACS).
Howard has more than two decades of public policy experience. Before the Insights Association, he worked in Congress as senior legislative staffer for then-Representatives Christopher Cox (CA-48) and Cliff Stearns (FL-06). He also served more than four years with a science policy think tank, working to improve the understanding of scientific and social research and methodology among journalists and policymakers.
Howard is also co-director of The Census Project, a 900+ member coalition in support of a fair and accurate Census and ACS.
He has also served previously on the Board of Directors for the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics and and the Association of Government Relations Professionals.
Howard has an MA International Relations from the University of Essex in England and a BA Honors Political Studies from Trent University in Canada, and has obtained the Certified Association Executive (CAE), Professional Lobbying Certificate (PLC) and the Public Policy Certificate (PPC).
When not running advocacy for the Insights Association, Howard enjoys hockey, NFL football, sci-fi and horror movies, playing with his dog, and spending time with family and friends.