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FY23 Statistical Agency Budget Developments

  

The Biden Administration is expected to release its FY23 budget request by March 31, 2022. I will be filling in information as I become aware of it. This blog entry will track FY23 appropriations developments for the federal statistical agencies and so will be updated accordingly. (See update log below.) To receive notifications of updates, follow ASA Science Policy on Twitter: @ASA_SciPol. 


See also, Administration Releases FY23 Budget Request as Congress Finalizes FY22 Budget, FY23 NIH, NSF, and AHRQ Budget Developments and federal statistical agency budgets back to fiscal year 2003 (FY03)

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FY23

     Agency   FY17  FY18   FY19   FY20  FY21 FY22  Request   %change vs FY22  House   Senate   omnibus  %
BEA 103.8 99.0 101 108 111.9 116 141 21 132.3 128 130  12.5
BJS 45.5 48.0 43 43 45 40 45 13 45 45 42  4.4
BLS  609.0   612.0  615.0 6282 6422 659.52 741.72 10 726.3 723.5 697.95  6
BTS1 26 26 26 26 26 26 36 27  0
Census 1457 2814 3821 7558 1107 1354 1524.3 13 1505 1485 1485 11.9
EIA 122  125 125 126.8 126.8 129.1 132.6 2.7 144.5 144 135  4.7
ERS 86.8 86.8 86.8 84.8 85.5 87.8 93 5.9 90.6 96 92.6  5.6
NASS 171.2 191.7 174.5 180.3 183.9 190.2 216 14 211 213.6 211.0  11.3 
NCES3 258.5   258.5 260.5 263.5 276.5 291.5 296.5 1.7 296.5 313.8 306.5  5.4
 -stats 110 109.5 109.5 110.5 111.5 111.5 111.5 0 111.5 121 121.5   9  
NCSES 59.7 62.4 64.0 65.0 66.69 67.7 88 30
NCHS4 174.4 174.4  174.4 174.4 175.4 180.4 181.9 0.9 190.4 190.4 187.4  3.9
ORES 24 27 35.45 36.0 35.7  39.8 38.1 -4.1
SOI 34.3 37.1 36.8 35.9 40.0 40.7 40.8 0.2

 Levels in millions of dollars; Agency abbreviations listed below; NCES is for Statistics and Assessment (not NAGB or SLDS)
Latest Action: *Subcommittee mark-up; **Committee mark-up; ***Passed the Floor
&Not available because of lack of sufficient detail in summary, bill or conference report; 
NATD (or blank): No Action To Date
1The BTS is funded through the Highway Trust Fund with levels determined by the authorizing committees. Congress is currently working on a transportation bill.
2The FY20, FY21, FY22 request, FY22 "Final", and FY23 Request levels for BLS includes $27 million, $13 M, $28.47M, $28.470M, and $15.4 M respectively, for its relocation. The relocation funds are are not reflected in the table to make the levels comparable with the FY19 and prior year funding levels.
3The NCES budget level includes both statistics and assessment. The levels do not include budget for National Assessment Governing Board. 
4The NCHS budget went through budget realignment in FY21. The prior year budgets have been adjusted to make them comparable.
5
The ORES went through a budget restructuring in FY19 when the Office of Retirement Policy (ORP) was merged into ORES. The FY18 ORP budget was $2.253M.

Because this blog entry covers everything from the budget request to the final determination of the budget, it can become quite long. To help with that, I'll try to partition the blog entry:

Relevant Report Language Excerpts:

  • House BJS (https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP00/20220628/114966/HMKP-117-AP00-20220628-SD004.PDF): "The Committee recognizes the importance of the timely release of data on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government. The data produced by BJS is an indispensable resource for policymakers and researchers in understanding and advancing equality in the justice system. The Committee’s recommendation provides $45,000,000 for BJS, an increase of $5,000,000 above fiscal year 2022."
  • Bureau of Economic Analysis (https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP00/20220628/114966/HMKP-117-AP00-20220628-SD004.PDF): "The Committee recommends $132,320,000 for the Economics and Statistics Administration, $16,320,000 above the fiscal year 2022
    enacted level. The recommendation assumes the requested amount of $127,820,000 for the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) which includes $2,713,000 to improve and expand distributional measures of growth. The Committee directs BEA to further research methods that will allow a quarterly release schedule with minimal lag.
    Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account.—Within the amounts provided, up to $1,500,000 is provided for the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account (ORSA) that was created through the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act of 2016 (Public Law 114–249). The Committee expects that if the impacts of the COVID–19 pandemic on the outdoor recreation economy continue, they will be highlighted in the fiscal year 2023 ORSA release.
    Data Collection Sources.—The Committee recognizes the value and importance of real-time economic data for the purpose of identifying economic trends and consumer sentiment. The Committee encourages BEA and the Department to use a competitive process to procure consumer sentiment and economic indicator data. Further, as the Department prepares future solicitations for economic data and research, the Committee encourages the Department to conduct robust market research to identify potential new market entrants and to prioritize those leveraging consumer-sourced data that have a strong record of performance and most effectively apply technology to acquire real-time information.
    Alternative Economic Indicators.—The Committee is aware that BEA has been engaged in an agenda to better measure economic well-being. In 2020, BEA published  ‘GDP and Beyond: Priorities and Plans’’ that laid out a comprehensive plan to best report on the well-being of the American public. In support of this effort the Committee directs BEA, in coordination with other Federal agencies, to report to the Committee not later than one year after enactment of this Act on updates to its research on  alternative economic metrics, including projected milestones and costs for the development, implementation, and administration of alternative economic metrics alongside existing measures and methodologies.
    Modernizing Economic Statistics in the Territories.—The Committee reiterates its interest in BEA producing quarterly economic surveys and personal income statistics for the territories, in the same manner that such data is produced and collected for the 50 States and the District of Columbia. The Committee looks forward to receiving the overall cost estimate and implementation plan directed in House Report 117–97 to achieve this goal and integrate the five territories into the full set of the National Income and Product Accounts, which will require the territory-level GDP data to meet BEA’s quality standards.
  • House NASS (https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP00/20220623/114947/HMKP-117-AP00-20220623-SD002.pdf): "For the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Committee provides an appropriation of $211,023,000, of which $66,361,000 is for the Census of Agriculture. The Committee includes a total of $4,787,000 for pay increases. In addition, the Committee maintains $2,000,000 to expand the existing geospatial program to provide more information on the impact of critical weather events. The Committee expects NASS to continue its ongoing activities at the frequency levels assumed in fiscal year 2022, including Barley acreage and production estimates; the Bee and Honey Program; the Chemical Use Data Series; the Floriculture Crops Report; and Fruit and Vegetable Reports, including in-season forecasts for non-citrus fruit and tree nut crops such as pecans.
    Agri-Tourism Study.—The Committee directs NASS to plan to conduct as a follow-on study to the census of agriculture conducted in the calendar year 2022 under section 2 of the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 (7 U.S.C. 2204g) to collect additional information on the census related to agritourism, including information about educational experiences, outdoor recreation, entertainment and special events, direct sales, entertainment, accommodations, other as determined by the Secretary.
    Comprehensive Horse Census.—The Committee recognizes that the Census of Agriculture is limited in its reporting regarding the equine industry, and as a result the USDA’s equine (horses, ponies, mules, burros, and donkeys) figures may underrepresent the industry. As a result, the Committee encourages NASS to work with
    equine stakeholders to address the gaps in horse census data collection.
    Data Collection on Urban, Indoor, and Emerging Agricultural Production.—The Committee directs NASS to continue its outreach to stakeholders to develop a better understanding of how to collect more accurate information on urban, indoor, and emerging agricultural production. The Committee recognizes that the current census of agriculture definition may not fully address the landscape and scope of urban agriculture across the Nation. The new information will be critical to the policy development and outreach carried out by the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. The Committee requests NASS to brief the Committee on how this information can be better addressed in the ongoing Census of Agriculture.
    Interagency Assistance.—The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) relies on NASS data when calculating acreage rental fees charged to wind and solar energy projects. The Committee understands BLM is in the process of considering adjustments to fee calculations. NASS is encouraged to assist BLM with analysis on pasture land and non-irrigated land property values and rental values in areas with renewable energy development and operations.
    Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) Survey.—The Committee notes that the next TOTAL survey is part of planned NASS activities in the next Census of Agriculture. The Committee expects the next TOTAL survey to provide comprehensive data on land ownership, tenure, landowners’ transition plans, and lease agreements available to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers to understand the trends that lead to secure land tenure and thriving farm businesses. The Committee encourages the program to look at emerging trends in land acquisition connected to innovations in farming on small acreage. The Committee also encourages collaboration with ERS so that new data provided on the economics of the farm of the future can be better utilized.
  • House EIA (https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP00/20220628/114966/HMKP-117-AP00-20220628-SD005.pdf) "The Committee encourages the Department to continue important data collection, analysis, and reporting activities on energy use
    and consumption, including the Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey and the Residential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey."
  • House ERS (https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP00/20220623/114947/HMKP-117-AP00-20220623-SD002.pdf): "For the Economic Research Service (ERS), the Committee provides an appropriation of $90,612,000. The Committee includes an increase of $1,518,000 for pay costs and $1,500,000 for costs associated with the second round of USDA’s National Household Food Purchase and Acquisition Survey.
    Agricultural Trade Imports.—The Committee directs ERS to study and report back within 120 days of the enactment of this Act findings on the top 15 nations, within the last five years, from which the United States imports agriculture products. The report shall also include the average wages for farmworkers of those countries and a discussion, if possible, of health benefits, safety regulations, and working conditions of their farm labor per commodity to those found in the U.S. The Committee looks forward to receiving the report requested in House Report 117–82.
    Benefits of Conservation and Soil Health Practices.—The Committee looks forward to receiving the study requested in the fiscal year 2021 House Report 116–446.
    Cover Cropping and Livestock Integration.—The Committee notes that the fiscal year 2021 House report directed ERS to produce a study detailing current best practices as well as the projected longterm economic impacts for farmers and the Committee looks forward to reviewing the results of the study. The Committee looks forward to receiving the study requested in the fiscal year 2021 House Report 116–446.
    Soil Health Experts.—The Committee appreciates ERS’ recent efforts to hire staff with expertise in soil health, an area of continued importance to U.S. farmers and the food and agriculture industry.
    Supply Chain Resiliency.—The Committee is concerned about the rising cost of manufactured inputs to farms and the impact on farm profitability and the rest of the economy. The Committee encourages the USDA to review the performance of industries and markets for manufactured inputs which have seen significant increases
    in prices and assess options for improving input supply chain performance and resiliency in these domestic markets."
  • Census (https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP00/20220628/114966/HMKP-117-AP00-20220628-SD004.PDF): "The Committee looks forward to receiving the report directed in House Report 117–97 under the heading ‘‘Modernizing the collection and publication of race and ethnicity data’’ and continues to urge the Census Bureau to continue its work with the Office of Management and Budget to facilitate appropriate, scientificallyguided revisions to those standards that will allow the Bureau to modernize its collection of race and ethnicity data, including the addition of a Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) ethnicity category and a combined race and Hispanic origin question, as soon as practicable.
    CURRENT SURVEYS AND PROGRAMS
    The Committee recommends $336,176,000 for Current Surveys and Programs, which is $36,176,000 above the fiscal year 2022 enacted amount.
    High Frequency Data Program.—The Committee directs no less than the fiscal year 2022 enacted level for the High Frequency Data Program and encourages the Bureau to include frequent and timely measures of poverty and material hardship, including measures focused on child poverty and children and family wellbeing, as part of the continued expansion of the program. The Committee encourages the Bureau to consider measures of children and family wellbeing related to housing and food insecurity; access to child care and transportation; ability to balance work, educational, and caregiving responsibilities; ability to pay household expenses; family savings and debt; and ability to afford educational and extracurricular activities for children. Where appropriate, the Committee encourages the Bureau to include a  breakdown of data by race and ethnicity, including for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) racial and ethnic subgroups and for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN). Additionally, the Committee directs the Bureau to report to the Committee not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act on these efforts.
    Improving Annual Poverty Data Collection.—Annual estimates of the Official Poverty Measure and the Supplemental Poverty Measure both come from the Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) sample of the Census’ Current Population Survey (CPS)— sometimes referred to as the ‘‘March sample.’’ The CPS is a monthly survey of employment and labor force activity—and the March sample has additional questions measuring incomes over the prior calendar year that allows both the Census and academic researchers to measure poverty. As with all surveys, estimates are limited by the statistical ‘‘power’’ associated with the sample size. The Committee recognizes that the cost of collecting data for CPS to maintain current sample size and quality requirements has increased significantly over recent years. The recommendation includes the requested increase for CPS in the budget proposal and recognizes the Census Bureau, in coordination with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, will use these additional resources to assess the feasibility of combining CPS survey data with other sources of information, such as administrative data and population estimates, to produce estimates on topics of interest. The Committee recognizes the interest in poverty measures for discrete populations—including AAPI and AIAN, groups of certain ethnicities, or even poverty measures for a congressional district. Within the funds provided, the Committee urges the Census Bureau to increase the
    sample size of the March supplement of the CPS. Additionally, the Committee recognizes the Census Bureau’s work in determining the feasibility of expanding this survey to Puerto Rico and appreciates the report including estimated costs for implementation provided to the Committee in June 2020. The Committee urges that,
    within funds provided, steps are taken to begin this work. The Committee encourages the Census Bureau to review the feasibility of expansion in the remaining territories and to report to the Committee on these efforts no later than 120 days after enactment of this Act.
    PERIODIC CENSUSES AND PROGRAMS
    The Committee recommends $1,169,294,000 for Periodic Censuses and Programs, which is $115,294,000 above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level. The Committee is concerned over the accuracy of the 2020 Decennial Census and the impact the Department’s unprecedented engagement in technical matters with the Census Bureau during the years leading up to the 2020 Decennial may have had on the efficacy of response rates. The Committee directs a briefing from the Census Bureau, in coordination with the Scientific Integrity Task Force, no later than 45 days after enactment of this Act on steps it is taking to minimize interference in the 2030 Decennial Census. Additionally, the Committee recognizes that pandemic-related disruptions to the 2020 Decennial Census operations may have resulted in significant undercounts in some localities. The Committee notes that decennial census counts are the basis for annual population estimates that are used to distribute Federal resources, and therefore, those estimates should be as accurate as possible. As the Census Bureau reinstates the Population Estimates Challenge Program this decade, the Census Bureau should consider more flexible methodologies and broader use of administrative data to ensure meaningful opportunities to improve the accuracy of the estimates, including appropriate improvements to the estimates base. Additionally, the Committee directs GAO to review the Census Bureau’s efforts and brief the Committee within 180 days of the Census Bureau completing its related work on the Population Estimates Challenge Program. 
  • House NCHS (https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP00/20220630/114968/HMKP-117-AP00-20220630-SD003.PDF): "National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).—The Committee includes an increase of $10,000,000 for NCHS, a component of our nation’s public health infrastructure, to monitor the health of our Nation and to make much-needed investments in the next generation of surveys and products." "The Committee reiterates that the NCHS is to be fully integrated in the DMI." 
  • House BLS (https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP00/20220630/114968/HMKP-117-AP00-20220630-SD003.PDF): "The recommendation does not include funds for the relocation of the BLS headquarters, which was fully funded in fiscal year
    2022... National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY).—The Committee continues to recognize the importance of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY), which has provided valuable information about labor market trends for decades. The increase includes sufficient resources to continue development of a new NLSY cohort.
    Preserving Existing Statistical Work and Staff.—When implementing the NLSY and other new investments, the Committee directs BLS not to reduce or eliminate existing statistical work. Further, the Committee directs BLS not to reduce the number of fulltime equivalent positions beyond the apportioned fiscal year 2022 full-time equivalent ceiling.
    Nonprofit Sector Workforce.—The Committee recognizes the importance of the nonprofit sector workforce as a critical partner to government and a frontline service provider in communities nationwide and encourages BLS to examine the value in including nonprofit organizations as a distinct category of employer in quarterly reports from its Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW).
    Artificial Intelligence.—The Committee notes the continued development of artificial intelligence and encourages BLS to examine this trend’s impact on the economy.
    Public Safety Telecommunicators.—The Committee recognizes that categorizations of a ‘public safety telecommunicator’ as an ‘office and administrative support occupation’ is outdated and does not reflect the nature of this life-saving work. The Committee encourages BLS to update data collection practices to be in line with modern changes to the public safety telecommunications profession, classifying them as a ‘protective service occupation’ and collecting data accordingly.
    Military Spouses.—The Committee recognizes the need for comprehensive data measuring employment among military spouses over time. The Committee encourages BLS, in collaboration with the Department of Defense, to assess the potential for measuring labor market outcomes and characteristics of military spouses with existing survey data and explore options for modifying such surveys to capture this population. 
  • House NCES (https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP00/20220630/114968/HMKP-117-AP00-20220630-SD003.PDF): N/A
  • House IES (https://www.congress.gov/117/crpt/hrpt403/CRPT-117hrpt403.pdf) National Center for Advanced Development in Education.—Within amounts for Research, Development, and Dissemination, the Committee provides $75,000,000 for a new National Center for Advanced Development in Education (NCADE). Modeled on the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Department of Defense’s renowned research and development center, NCADE will invest in high-reward, scalable solutions to address longstanding deficits and inequities in the education system. NCADE will be housed at IES and have a management structure that prioritizes solutions aligned with the science of learning and development that have the potential to dramatically improve student achievement and address gaps between advantaged and disadvantaged students. Specifically, NCADE programs will invest in breakthrough technologies; new pedagogical approaches; innovative learning models; and more efficient, reliable, and valid forms of measurement of student learning, experiences, and opportunities. Amounts for NCADE provided under Research, Development, and Dissemination will specifically support the Center’s high-reward project funding. Personnel costs to support the Center’s nimble program management structure will be supported through funding provided under IES Program Administration.
  • House NCSES (https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP00/20220628/114966/HMKP-117-AP00-20220628-SD004.PDF): The Committee encourages the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) to undertake a study to identify, compile, and analyze existing nationwide data, and conduct survey research as necessary, to better understand the national cyber workforce. The Committee directs NSF to provide the funding necessary to conduct this study and report to the Committee within 60 days of enactment of this Act.
    Noting the already low ratio of personnel to budget at NCSES relative to other Federal statistical agencies, the Committee supports the request to add personnel, which may include statisticians, economists, research scientists, and other statistical and support staff as needed, to ensure adequate staffing for this research.


FY23 Budget Request Highlights
The following are excerpts and highlights. They are not in narrative form but are intended to provide you a quick snapshot. The notes also serve as a sort of note book for me for when I write a summary for Amstat News.

  • DOT requests a $10 million increase for BTS for the following (https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2022-03/OST_Budget_Estimates_FY23.pdf; pp RT - 10/11)
    • Transportation Vulnerability and Resilience Data Program – Requests $3 million to establish a new program to measure the vulnerability of the transportation system to direct and indirect disruptions caused by extreme weather and other unexpected events (e.g., Colonial pipeline cyber-attack, pandemic like COVID-19, other supply chain disruptions) and the ability of the national transportation system to recover from those disruptions...
    • Departmental Office of Evaluation Research Program - Requests $4 million to implement evaluation research and collect equity-related data to support Administration Priority Goals. $3 million will support the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) to collect small-area, equity related data and develop/estimate  outcome measures for use in the DOT Learning Agenda; and $1 million for BTS to complete the data collection of its National Transit Geospatial Database...
    • Development of the Transportation Cost Burden and Other Access Measures - Requests $3 million to complete the Equity Action Plan action items under core area of Expanding Access. This request includes efforts to better understand equity as it relates to the transportation cost burden, multimodal access to key resources, and other equity considerations. The funding will allow BTS to improve data, conduct research, and develop methodology to estimate the direct and indirect impacts of transportation programs to all, including underserved population and households.
  • BEA: https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2022-03/FY2023-BEA-Congressional-Budget-Submission.pdf 
  • BLS: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/general/budget/2023/CBJ-2023-V3-01.pdf
  • ERS: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/19-2023-ERS.pdf
  • NASS: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/20-2023-NASS.pdf

Reports on FY23 request:

  • COSSA: 

Reports on FY23 Congressional Developments:

Updates (and sources):

    See also: 

    Statistical Agency abbreviations

     BEA Bureau of Economic Analysis
    BJS Bureau of Justice Statistics
    BLS Bureau of Labor Statistics
    BTS Bureau of Transportation Statistics 
    ERS Economic Research Service
    EIA Energy Information Administration
    NASS National Agricultural Statistics Service
    NCES National Center for Education Statistics 
    NCHS National Center for Health Statistics
    NCSES National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, NSF
    ORES Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics, SSA
    SOI Statistics of Income Division, IRS

    See other ASA Science Policy blog entries. For ASA science policy updates, follow @ASA_SciPol on Twitter. 

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