COUNT Act
Latest action (4 Sep 2025): Introduced
What this bill does
**What the bill would do:** H.R. 5156, the COUNT Act, directs the Department of Commerce and other federal agencies to compile more comprehensive data on citizens, noncitizens, and undocumented immigrants living in the United States. It requires federal agencies to give Commerce access to relevant administrative records—such as immigration, visa, passport, Social Security, and Medicaid/CHIP data—and creates an interagency working group, chaired by the Census Bureau director, to coordinate this effort. It also directs Commerce to seek to add a citizenship question to the 2030 census, expand citizenship data collection in surveys like the American Community Survey, and pursue access to relevant state records, with annual reporting to Congress on states that decline to cooperate. Additionally, it bars the Census Bureau from using its "differential privacy" statistical-disclosure method starting six months after enactment, requiring the Bureau to issue new guidance on protecting respondent privacy.
**Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects federal agencies (DHS, State Department, Social Security Administration, HHS, and others), the Census Bureau, and state governments, which would face new data-sharing expectations. It also affects how citizenship and immigration data are collected and reported, which could influence policymaking, census methodology, and privacy protections for individuals whose records are shared.
**Status:** The bill was introduced on September 4, 2025, by Rep. August Pfluger and referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, along with several other committees with relevant jurisdiction. It has not yet been voted on, and no further action has occurred beyond introduction.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on September 4, 2025. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 5156 do?
- **What the bill would do:** H.R. 5156, the COUNT Act, directs the Department of Commerce and other federal agencies to compile more comprehensive data on citizens, noncitizens, and undocumented immigrants living in the United States. It requires federal agencies to give Commerce access to relevant administrative records—such as immigration, visa, passport, Social Security, and Medicaid/CHIP data—and creates an interagency working group, chaired by the Census Bureau director, to coordinate this effort. It also directs Commerce to seek to add a citizenship question to the 2030 census, expand citizenship data collection in surveys like the American Community Survey, and pursue access to relevant state records, with annual reporting to Congress on states that decline to cooperate. Additionally, it bars the Census Bureau from using its "differential privacy" statistical-disclosure method starting six months after enactment, requiring the Bureau to issue new guidance on protecting respondent privacy. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects federal agencies (DHS, State Department, Social Security Administration, HHS, and others), the Census Bureau, and state governments, which would face new data-sharing expectations. It also affects how citizenship and immigration data are collected and reported, which could influence policymaking, census methodology, and privacy protections for individuals whose records are shared. **Status:** The bill was introduced on September 4, 2025, by Rep. August Pfluger and referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, along with several other committees with relevant jurisdiction. It has not yet been voted on, and no further action has occurred beyond introduction.
- Has H.R. 5156 become law?
- Not yet. As of 4 Sep 2025, H.R. 5156 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 5156?
- H.R. 5156 was sponsored by Rep. August Pfluger [R-TX11] (Republican-TX), with 8 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 5156?
- Introduced (4 Sep 2025).
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