Common Sense Census Act of 2000

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Census.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 3, 2000

Common Sense Census Act of 2000 - Provides that the penalty for refusing or neglecting to answer any 2000 decennial census schedule question shall not apply except to the extent necessary to allow the Government to obtain the information needed for its enumeration of the population. Provides that only questions on the 2000 decennial census short form (apart from those relating to race or ethnicity) shall be considered necessary to permit such an enumeration.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Hunter, Duncan [R-CA-52] · R–CA

Committees

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

16 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Apr 7, 2000
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Census.
Apr 3, 2000
Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.
Apr 3, 2000
Introduced in House
Apr 3, 2000
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Apr 3, 2000 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 20, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4154 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.4154, 106th Congress: Common Sense Census Act of 2000

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/4154

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2000-04-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr4154/BILLS-106hr4154ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:20:31Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4154 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4154 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4154, 106th Congress: Common Sense Census Act of 2000

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/4154

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2000-04-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr4154/BILLS-106hr4154ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:20:31Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4154 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4154 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4154, 106th Congress: Common Sense Census Act of 2000

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/4154

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2000-04-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr4154/BILLS-106hr4154ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:20:31Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4154 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4154 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4154, 106th Congress: Common Sense Census Act of 2000

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/4154

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2000-04-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr4154/BILLS-106hr4154ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:20:31Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4154 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.