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119-s-265119th CongressWALLET

Freedom from Government Surveys Act

Sponsored By: Senator Risch, James E. [R-ID]

Introduced

Summary

Makes the American Community Survey voluntary. This bill would amend Title 13 to make answering the ACS optional, state that refusing or skipping any question carries no penalty, and require the Census Secretary to include a clear notice on the survey that participation is voluntary. It would recast nonresponse rules into a nonpenalty framework and does not create new funding or enforcement powers in the text.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

American Community Survey becomes voluntary

If enacted, the bill would make taking the American Community Survey voluntary. You would not face penalties under 13 U.S.C. §221 for refusing to answer ACS questions. The Census Bureau would have to include a clear statement on the survey that participation is voluntary. The change would apply to the ACS and any successor survey upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Risch, James E. [R-ID]

ID • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 1/28/2025

  • Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 1/28/2025

  • Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 1/28/2025

  • Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 1/28/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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