This bill matters because the decennial census is foundational to American democracy and resource allocation. The total population count determines how many representatives each state gets in Congress and how billions of dollars in federal funding are distributed for essential services like schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. If passed, this bill would ensure that the main population count does not include citizenship questions, which some argue might discourage certain populations from participating due to fear or distrust, potentially leading to an undercount.

If this bill becomes law, the decennial census will focus solely on counting all residents regardless of their status, which could lead to a more accurate overall population figure. If it doesn't become law, future administrations could potentially add citizenship questions to the decennial census, which could raise concerns about participation rates and data accuracy, depending on one's perspective on the necessity and impact of such questions.