HB6486, the “Make Allegiances Clear Again Act” or “MACA Act,” would amend federal census law to require the U.S. Census Bureau to add a question or checkbox on the 2030 decennial census, and every census thereafter, asking whether each person in a household is a citizen of both the United States and another country. If so, the respondent would also identify the other country of citizenship. The bill applies to the questionnaire used to determine the total population by states.
In practical terms, the measure would create a new federal data-collection requirement within the decennial census process. It would direct the Secretary of Commerce, through the Census Bureau, to gather dual citizenship information at the household level and incorporate that information into census materials beginning with the 2030 census. The bill does not itself change citizenship law or immigration status; rather, it changes what demographic information the federal government must ask and record.
Impact
The bill would amend section 141 of title 13, United States Code, by adding a new census reporting requirement and redesignating existing subsection language. Its effect would be limited to federal census administration, but it would expand the scope of personal information collected by the Census Bureau and could affect how census data are used for demographic analysis, policy planning, and potentially political debate. It would not alter state law directly, but it would create a new federal obligation affecting respondents, the Census Bureau, and any downstream users of census data.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of committee transcripts or recorded votes, the available record shows only that the bill was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The title and subject matter suggest a politically charged proposal focused on citizenship and national allegiance, but there is no documented committee debate or vote history in the provided materials to indicate broader support or opposition. As a result, the public sentiment cannot be measured from the available record beyond the fact that the bill was formally introduced.
Contention
The likely points of contention are privacy, necessity, and the purpose of collecting dual citizenship information in the census. Supporters may view the proposal as a way to improve demographic data and identify dual nationals, while critics may argue that the census should not ask about dual citizenship because it is not needed for apportionment, could discourage participation, or could be used for political or immigration-related purposes. No specific member objections or endorsements are available in the provided transcripts, so the dispute is inferred from the bill’s subject matter rather than documented debate.