[Previously updated on June 27; adding a further news article at bottom]

Background in earlier DCSS news item, "Comment on revisions to the American Community Survey (ACS) and the Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS) by June 14"

The Census Quality Reinforcement Task Force (CQR) submitted comments on behalf of 29 organizations and 32 individual signers. [PDF]

"Conclusion:
"First, the research record supports implementation in the 2027 ACS, consistent with the Census Bureau's prior determination following formal analysis. That record, spanning more than two decades of Census Bureau testing and independent scientific advisory committee review, remains substantively unchanged. Each year of deferral beyond the Bureau's 2027 target reduces available time for implementation, testing, and evaluation before the current 2029 implementation benchmark, narrows the window for operational preparation before the 2030 Census, and extends the period during which known measurement limitations of the 1997 framework persist.

"Second, the program change described in the supporting statement is not reflected in the 30-day Federal Register Notice. The March 27, 2026 OMB bulletin extended the Action Plan submission timeline and stated that it otherwise made no additional changes to implementation timelines. The current September 2029 data collection implementation timeline referenced in OMB SPD 15 guidance therefore remains in effect, and the operational consequences of deferral identified above remain relevant regardless of the administrative latitude provided by the Action Plan extension.

"CQR respectfully submits that the technical record supports implementation of the updated standards in the 2027 ACS, consistent with the Census Bureau's prior determination, and that no new methodological findings in the public record justify further deferral."

"Census Bureau Quietly Scraps Plan for Improved Data Collection on Race and Ethnicity" (Talking Points Memo, Jun 26)

"The Census Bureau is walking back plans to unveil a new, more inclusive way to document race and ethnicity, delaying updates that would have affected policy about everything from SNAP benefits uptake to redistricting. 

"New race and ethnicity collection standards will no longer be used in the 2027 American Community Survey (ACS), according to a little-noticed update posted last month to the Federal Register. The ACS is largely viewed as the first look into how the consequential 2030 Census could shape up. And experts told TPM the Bureau’s indication that it won’t be using the updated race and ethnicity survey question standards puts at risk improved civil rights policy, redistricting, and more than a decade of research."