For over a century, a bipartisan consensus in the United States has recognized the critical importance of objective data for informed policymaking. This commitment has fostered a statistical system considered a global gold standard, representing a relatively small portion of the federal budget – approximately 0.1%.

The Historical Importance of Data

As early as the 1890s, Senator Nelson Aldrich, a Republican, emphasized the need for factual integrity, stating the goal was to ensure “there should be no reason to question the integrity of the facts.” This sentiment was echoed later by New York Senator Pat Moynihan, who famously asserted, “Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts.”

Data's Broad Applications

The data collected encompasses a vast range of categories – including inflation, employment, crime, and pollution – proving invaluable to both government officials and business leaders. Government relies on this information to allocate resources and assess policy effectiveness, while businesses use it for crucial planning and investment decisions.

Current Threats to Data Integrity

Recently, the administration has been accused of undermining the integrity of the country’s statistical system through political interference. This includes the abrupt firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner following a negative jobs report and the cancellation of surveys measuring food insecurity after cuts to food stamp programs.

Data collection on inflation, education, farm wages, police misconduct, and federal employee morale has also been impacted by staff and budget reductions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that reduced data collection could alter inflation estimates, potentially impacting Social Security benefits by billions of dollars annually and creating financial market instability.

Erosion of Confidence

This attack on federal data is also eroding private sector confidence, creating economic uncertainty. Even minor technical changes now raise concerns about political motivation and data reliability.

Modernization, Not Dismantling

While the current statistical system isn’t perfect – it’s described as idiosyncratic, clunky, and sprawling – the solution isn’t to dismantle it. Instead, experts advocate for modernization, mirroring successful strategies employed by private companies.

This includes shifting from costly traditional surveys to online responses, sharing data across agencies, incorporating private suppliers, and leveraging automation and artificial intelligence. While upfront costs would be significant, long-term savings and improved accuracy are anticipated.

The Need for Legislative Action

Currently, only four of the 13 principal statistical agencies have significant statutory protections, and these are considered weak. Legislators are urged to strengthen these protections and provide necessary resources and oversight for modernization. The Senate’s confirmation power should also be used to reject nominees with potential biases that could compromise data integrity.

As Michael R. Bloomberg states, “In God we trust. Everyone else: Bring data.” Without trustworthy data, addressing America’s complex challenges will become significantly more difficult.