The Insights Association responded to President Donald Trump’s call for “a new and highly accurate census” by urging the White House to fully fund the 2030 Census.
On August 7, 2025, President Trump posted on TruthSocial that, “I have instructed our Department of Commerce to immediately begin work on a new and highly accurate CENSUS based on modern day facts and figures and, importantly, using the results and information gained from the Presidential Election of 2024.”
Howard Fienberg, Senior VP Advocacy for the Insights Association, a nonprofit association representing the market research, insights and analytics industry, responded that, “We look forward to working with the President to fully resource a great 2030 Census. Of course, preparations are already well underway, with the first field testing in six sites across the country in 2026. It takes a whole decade to research, develop, field and process a complete and accurate count of the U.S. population.”
He also pointed out that, “if the President meant to suggest a mid-decade census, it is important to note that (1) the Census Bureau doesn’t have enough personnel to pull off a mid-decade census and (2) existing law prohibits a mid-decade census from being used for redistricting or apportionment of Congressional districts.”
Finally, Fienberg said, “We look forward to learning more about the ‘modern day facts and figures’ and other details referenced by the President, which sound like they would be valuable to inform any efforts to improve the decennial census.”
About the Author
Based in Washington, DC, Howard is the Insights Association's lobbyist for the marketing research and data analytics industry, focusing primarily on consumer privacy and data security, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), tort reform, and the funding and integrity of the decennial Census and the American Community Survey (ACS).
Howard has more than two decades of public policy experience. Before the Insights Association, he worked in Congress as senior legislative staffer for then-Representatives Christopher Cox (CA-48) and Cliff Stearns (FL-06). He also served more than four years with a science policy think tank, working to improve the understanding of scientific and social research and methodology among journalists and policymakers.
Howard is also co-director of The Census Project, a 900+ member coalition in support of a fair and accurate Census and ACS.
He has also served previously on the Board of Directors for the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics and and the Association of Government Relations Professionals.
Howard has an MA International Relations from the University of Essex in England and a BA Honors Political Studies from Trent University in Canada, and has obtained the Certified Association Executive (CAE), Professional Lobbying Certificate (PLC) and the Public Policy Certificate (PPC).
When not running advocacy for the Insights Association, Howard enjoys hockey, NFL football, sci-fi and horror movies, playing with his dog, and spending time with family and friends.