Sarasota Review

U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Senator James E. Risch (R-Idaho) have introduced the Freedom from Government Surveys Act, which seeks to change how the U.S. Census Bureau conducts the American Community Survey (ACS). The proposed legislation would make participation in the ACS voluntary and remove financial penalties for those who do not respond.

“No American should ever be penalized or harassed for exercising their right to privacy,” said Rep. Steube. “Every year, the Census Bureau forces more than 3 million citizens to either pay a steep fine or answer deeply personal questions about their private lives. I am honored to partner with Senator Risch on this bill to rein in Washington and protect Americans from unreasonable inquiries.”

The bill is a House version of legislation already introduced by Senator Risch. He stated, “It is unacceptable for the federal government to punish Idahoans for protecting their personal, private details from intrusive surveys. My Freedom from Government Surveys Act abolishes burdensome and unnecessary fines on Idahoans who exercise their right to privacy.”

The ACS is conducted annually by the U.S. Census Bureau to gather data about communities across the country, surveying approximately 3.5 million Americans each year. Under current law, individuals who decline to participate may face repeated contact from the bureau and potential financial penalties.

Questions asked in the ACS include topics such as whether respondents have difficulty dressing or bathing, details about commute times, sales of agricultural products from a property, estimated value of homes if sold, and primary heating fuel used in residences.

A full text of the bill is available online.