More independence for Census Bureau

By The Gazette

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Counting people seems like a straightforward task. Yet our nation's census, conducted every 10 years by the Census Bureau and mandated by the U.S. Constitution, has too often stirred up partisan disputes and attempts at undue political gain.

Americans expect and deserve the Census Bureau to be fair and free of politics. Congress should pass pending legislation that would give the Bureau more independence and transparency.

The Senate overwhelmingly approved its measure last week. The full House has yet to vote. In both chambers, the legislation has bipartisan sponsorship.

Among the proposal's major changes:

l Sets a five-year term for Census Bureau director, appointed by the president (which can lead to more continuity across presidential administrations).

l Allows the director to submit his or her own opinion in testimony to Congress even it if differs from the administration.

l Gives the director authority over all personnel and activities in carrying out Census Bureau duties.

l Requires the director to provide Congress with a comprehensive annual report on the next decennial census, including the performance standards and risks of the plan.

l Requires the director to provide copies of budget requests to Congress at the same time they go to the Commerce Department (which houses the Census Bureau) and the administration.

The Census Bureau is the nation's largest, general-purpose statistical agency. Its independence and the accuracy of its data are vital and are the basis for many purposes, among them:

l The composition of the Electoral College, which officially chooses the president.

l Determining the amount of federal aid allocated to states, groups, communities and minorities - hundreds of billions of dollars annually.

l The number of U.S. representatives in each state.

If the Census Bureau can be manipulated - its systems, process or conclusions - for political gain by a political party or president, then all Americans are cheated.

Every previous director has endorsed this legislation - H.R. 4945/S. 3167. The Congressional Budget Office, which provides objective, nonpartisan research on budget and financial matters, says the changes would not significantly increase spending.

This legislation also is an opportunity for the lame-duck Congress to show rare bipartisanship that can raise Americans' lagging confidence in government. Get it done.