Quick Hits
*** Less than a week after launching the 2020 Census count, the Census Bureau announced it would suspend field operations for two weeks until April 1 due to concerns over coronavirus. Internet and phone intakes and mail counts would continue.
"The Census Bureau is taking this step to help protect the health and safety of the American public, Census Bureau employees, and everyone going through the hiring process for temporary census taker positions," Census Director Steve Dillinger said in a statement. "In the limited number of instances where an in-person visit is necessary, we are working closely with public health authorities to ensure each visit is accomplished safely."
*** Russell Vought, who has served as acting director of the Office of Management and Budget for more than a year, was nominated to hold the job on a permanent basis by President Trump on March 18. Vought is replacing Mick Mulvaney, who exited the day to day running of OMB to assume the job of acting White House Chief of Staff. Mulvaney was recently replaced in the White House job and is heading to a diplomatic role in Northern Ireland.