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Abstract:
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US Federal Statistical agencies have historically been largely shielded from undue interference in the conduct of their mission. Title III of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 makes explicit that agencies must conduct credible, accurate, and objective statistical activities. Both private and government sector users rely on data series on employment, prices, housing, health, and many other topics to conduct their business. These data also inform policy decisions at the federal, state, and local levels. Their relevance, accuracy, and fairness have been taken for granted.
Recently, there have been news reports that suggest that the US Federal Statistical establishment increasingly operates under the threat of, or actuality of, undue interference. This issue is not the exclusive domain of current political leaders and is not entirely new. This session brings together various experts on this topic, such as data users and former heads of federal statistical agencies to give their opinions on this topic. They will discuss whether they perceive that there is an issue of undue interference, and if so, what can be done about it.
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