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 · Oct 8, 1999

Census of Americans Abroad Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce: (1) to take a special census of all Americans residing abroad as of April 1, 2003; (2) to submit to the President and Congress the final tabulations under such census and a report containing any recommendations with respect to the inclusion of Americans residing abroad in future decennial censuses; (3) to take appropriate measures to provide for the inclusion of such Americans in the 2010 decennial census and subsequent decennial censuses and to make use of the information obtained from such censuses; and (4) by June 30, 2002, to report to the congressional committees having legislative jurisdiction over the census on special census preparations, tabulation methods, and consultants.Authorizes appropriations.

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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

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

Legislative record

Actions

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

Oct 8, 1999
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
Oct 8, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12322)
Oct 8, 1999
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 · Oct 8, 1999 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 3649 · Census of Americans Abroad Act

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

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Analyze S.1715 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.1715, 106th Congress: Census of Americans Abroad Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/1715

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-10-08.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s1715/BILLS-106s1715is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:16:57Z. 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.1715 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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Progressive lens

Examine S.1715 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.1715, 106th Congress: Census of Americans Abroad Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/1715

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-10-08.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s1715/BILLS-106s1715is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:16:57Z. 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.1715 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.1715 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.1715, 106th Congress: Census of Americans Abroad Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/1715

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-10-08.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s1715/BILLS-106s1715is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:16:57Z. 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.1715 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.1715 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.1715, 106th Congress: Census of Americans Abroad Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/1715

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-10-08.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s1715/BILLS-106s1715is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:16:57Z. 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.1715 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.