Rand Paul, Ted Poe Seek Census Religion Law That Already Exists GOP Lawmakers Offer Religion Ban That Passed 36 Years Ago
WASHINGTON -- A group of Republicans in Congress who want to dramatically restrict information gathering by the U.S. Census Bureau is trying to pass a measure that was already passed and signed into law more than 36 years ago.
Led by Rep. Ted Poe of Texas and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, the group offered bills Thursday to make responding to the American Community Survey (ACS) optional. The legislation includes one provision that was previously enacted on Oct. 17, 1976.
The measure would, again, make it illegal for the Census Bureau to demand answers from people about religion.
The text of the proposed legislation reads:
(c)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision under this title-- '(A) no person may be compelled to disclose information relative to the person's religious beliefs or to membership in a religious body;
The 1976 law reads:
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, no person shall be compelled to disclose information relative to his religious beliefs or to membership in a religious body.
