November 2, 2026 Daniel SweeneyDeputy General Counsel for Economic, Statistical, and Regulatory AffairsOffice of the General CounselDepartment of Commerce1401 Constitution Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20230 Re: Docket ID USBC-2026-0628, Decennial Census of the Population of Americans; Proposed Residence Criteria and Proposed Read More …
News
Sign-on Letter: Revisions to the Commerce Dept’s Scientific Integrity Policy (DAO 216-23)
On October 19th, 2026, COPAFS transmitted a letter to the Commerce Department expressing concern over recent revisions to the Commerce Department’s Scientific Integrity Policy (DAO 216-23). These revisions removed language explicitly banning political interference and providing whistleblower protections. Producing objective, Read More …
COPAFS Comment on OMB Proposed Rule for Federal Financial Assistance
Submitted on Monday, July 13, 2026 These comments are submitted in response to OMB-2026-0034, the revised Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance, on behalf of the Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics (COPAFS). COPAFS is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization devoted Read More …
COPAFS Welcomes Three New Members to the Board of Directors
June 22, 2026 – The Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics (COPAFS) is pleased to welcome three new members to its Board of Directors. These accomplished leaders bring a wealth of experience in federal statistics, data user concerns, and Read More …
APC, APDU, COPAFS, ICPSR, and PAA Statement on Commerce’s Disclosure Avoidance for Statistical Products
On June 4, 2026 the Department of Commerce issued a new order “Disclosure Avoidance for Statistical Products” (DAO 216-26) that limits the types of privacy protection methods that the Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) can use for Read More …
COPAFS Remembers Ken Prewitt
COPAFS is saddened to learn of the recent passing of Kenneth Prewitt at age 90. Dr. Prewitt served as the 20th Director of the U.S. Census Bureau and led the bureau during the 2000 decennial census. During his tenure he Read More …
Friends of BLS – Outreach Specialist
Full job description Objectives of the Friends of BLS Long-Term Goals 12 Month Goals Role of Friends Outreach Specialist Build relationships with Congressional offices and bipartisan champions for BLS funding and modernization. This goal includes developing strong relationships with key Read More …
COPAFS Statement on the Administration’s Reaction to Benchmark Data Revisions from the BLS
In response to the benchmark revision of employment data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the White House has claimed that large revisions are just the latest in “the long history of inaccuracies and incompetence at the BLS” Read More …
STATEMENT FROM THE AMERICAN ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION ON THE DISMISSAL OF THE BLS COMMISSIONER
Removal of BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer
COPAFS stands firmly behind Commissioner McEntarfer, BLS staff, and the data they produce. This action is a grave error and one that undermines the independence and reliability of federal statistics. COPAFS firmly endorses the following statement from the Friends of Read More …