Census of Americans Abroad Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Sep 30, 2003

Census of Americans Abroad Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce: (1) by September 30, 2004, to take a test census of Americans residing abroad; (2) within nine months after such date, to submit to the President and Congress the final tabulations of such census broken down by Americans residing abroad that are and that are not affiliated with the Federal Government; (3) by June 30, 2005, submit a report containing recommendations on the inclusion of such Americans in future decennial censuses; (4) before the end of 2006, again test methodologies for counting those persons; and (5) provide for inclusion of Americans residing abroad in the decennial censuses of 2010 and thereafter.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV] · D–WV

Committees

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

0 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.

Sep 30, 2003
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
Sep 30, 2003
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12194)
Sep 30, 2003
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in Senate · Sep 30, 2003 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 1619 · Census of Americans Abroad Act

Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.1682 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 S.1682, 108th Congress: Census of Americans Abroad Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1682

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2003-09-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s1682/BILLS-108s1682is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T18:59:40Z. 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 S.1682 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 S.1682 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.

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Discuss S.1682, 108th Congress: Census of Americans Abroad Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1682

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2003-09-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s1682/BILLS-108s1682is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T18:59:40Z. 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 S.1682 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.

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Examine S.1682 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.

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Discuss S.1682, 108th Congress: Census of Americans Abroad Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1682

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2003-09-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s1682/BILLS-108s1682is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T18:59:40Z. 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 S.1682 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.

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Liberty lens

Examine S.1682 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 S.1682, 108th Congress: Census of Americans Abroad Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1682

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2003-09-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s1682/BILLS-108s1682is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T18:59:40Z. 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 S.1682 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.