On November 19, House and Senate leaders agreed on a second FY2020 continuing resolution (CR). The CR, which would fund the federal government through December 20, provides the Census Bureau with the authority to assume an operational spending rate of $7.3 billion for the duration of the CR for the Periodic Censuses and Programs account. It also allows the Bureau to spend $90 million to implement the mobile Question Assistance Center initiative.
Bottom line: This action will help the Bureau keep 2020 Census plans on schedule for the duration of the CR. Interested stakeholders should consider urging Congress and the Administration to fully fund the 2020 Census in the next CR or to agree upon a final FY 2020 Commerce, Science, Justice appropriations bill that provides the 2020 Census with no less than $6.7 billion.
The Census Project 