July 2019 Census Project Update

On July 22, congressional leaders and White House officials announced they had reached a two-year budget agreement. The agreement included provisions raising the debt ceiling through July 31, 2021 and revising discretionary spending caps in fiscal years (FY) 2020 and 2021actions leaders in the U.S. Senate said were necessary before they would consider any of the FY 2020 appropriations bills. As part of the agreement, the 2020 Census received a unique cap adjustment making it one of the few programs singled out for such a designation. Specifically, the agreement provided the 2020 Census with $2.5 billion, meaning Appropriators will have this additional funding outside the caps to use towards supporting the decennial census. The budget agreement passed the House on July 23 by a vote of 284-149. At press time, the Senate was expected to pass the agreement before August 2. President Trump has said he will sign the legislation (H.R. 3877) into law.