In 2019, the presidential administration made the decision to terminate two advisory committees focused on economic statistics. These committees, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Advisory Committee and the Census Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC), provided external expertise and recommendations to government agencies responsible for producing key economic indicators. Their role involved assessing the quality, accuracy, and relevance of data used to inform economic policy and business decisions.
The existence of such committees historically ensured a degree of independent oversight and helped to maintain the integrity of official statistics. They offered a platform for academics, industry experts, and other stakeholders to contribute to the improvement of data collection methods, statistical methodologies, and the presentation of economic information. These contributions were seen as crucial for fostering public trust in government data and promoting sound economic analysis.
