Representative Greg Steube (R-FL) has introduced legislation with Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) to make the American Community Survey (ACS), part of the Census Bureau, a voluntary survey and to abolish the associated fines for not answering.
As Rep. Steube explained, the ACS is an annual questionnaire designed to gain knowledge of localities, which the ACS website says "helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities."
However, some survey questions can be considered intrusive, such as asking if the respondent has difficulty dressing or bathing, what sort of fuel they use to heat their living space, and how much they think it would sell for, and details about work commutes.
Such questions are administered to 3.5 million Americans every year, and refusal to participate or failure to finish results in fines.
Thus, Rep. Steube's bill makes the ACS voluntary rather than mandatory and abolishes the fines issued for nonparticipation.
"No American should ever be penalized or harassed for exercising their right to privacy," the Florida Congressman said in his press release, adding, "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."
Sen. Risch, who is introducing the bill in the Senate, said, "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," Sen. Risch added.
In June 2023, Steube introduced a bill to repeal the 2001 Patriot Act, saying, "For decades now, the misnamed Patriot Act and the 2008 FISA Amendments have allowed the federal government to trample on the rights of law-abiding American citizens. As the federal government has become increasingly weaponized against its own people, it is imperative we rein in this overreach."
