Continuing Resolution Threatens Preparations for 2010 Census

October 16, 2007 – U.S. Census Bureau Director Louis Kincannon testified before Congress on how the Census Bureau's funding levels under a continuing resolution through Nov. 16 is threatening critical preparations for the 2010 Census. Speaking for more than an hour before the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee, Kincannon discussed the impact of the continuing resolution budget that funds most government activities at previous fiscal year levels. The Census Bureau is uniquely affected because its budget almost doubles this year as it ramps up for its 2008 Census Dress Rehearsal and other key 2010 Census operations and programs.

He discussed:

• The impact of operating under a continuing resolution at funding levels which are about half of what is needed to continue preparations for the 2010 Census.
• The importance of testing new hand-held computers and data capture operations, a top priority for the reengineered census. The new system will enhance efficiency and accuracy, reduce paper and save money, but the Census Bureau cannot use the new devices without conducting a full systems test.
• Due to the delay in funding, there will be a reduced-scope Dress Rehearsal. Smaller important operations which have been successful in pervious censuses, such as group quarter’s enumeration, will also not be tested prior to the 2010 Census.
• If funding is delayed beyond Nov. 16, it will call into question the ability to test the hand-held systems at all.

Director’s Kincannon Statement [PDF-119K]