Another tack to facilitate statistical releases being continued through shutdowns is for appropriators to give statistical agencies the authority to use their funds until expended. As you may be aware, the Energy Information Administration was able to continue with their releases through at least some of the shutdown. My understanding is that it is due to their appropriations language, pasted here from the FY26 enacted bill language: "For Department of Energy expenses necessary in carrying out the activities of the Energy Information Administration, $135,000,000, to remain available until expended" (emphasis added). The ASA is making the application of such language to the other statistical agencies part of our FY27 asks to Congress.
Steve
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Steve Pierson
American Statistical Association
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-26-2026 02:09 PM
From: Henry Dubroff
Subject: Essential worker designation for statistical agency staff
Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, suggests it's time to designate statistical agencies as essential workers in the latest episode of the Pacific Coast Business Times Civil Dialogues podcast. She notes that keeping data collection going through shutdowns would avoid delayed reports and make the data less noisy.
Henry Dubroff
Founder & Chairman
805.895.9587