Inaccurate Federal Data 1-2-26

In 2025, inaccurate federal data problems persist across various agencies, driven by factors including resource cuts, methodological inconsistencies, the deletion of specific datasets, and challenges in data sharing. These issues have significant implications for policymaking, national security, and public trust.  

Key problem areas and specific instances identified in 2025 include:

Security Clearance Data Inaccuracies: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that over 60% of government security clearance data in the prior year was inaccurate. The problem, which has been on the GAO's High Risk List since 2018, stems from issues like the incorrect application of reporting guidance and inconsistent data definitions across agencies, leading to skewed processing times.

Disappearing Data and Resource Cuts: Federal statistical agencies are struggling with decreased funding and a loss of purchasing power over several years, leading to a "crumbling infrastructure" of data collection. This has resulted in:

The removal or modification of thousands of federal web pages and datasets, particularly related to diversity, health, and environmental policy, following executive orders in early 2025.

The termination of key statistical products without public or Congressional input, such as the annual report on food insecurity in the U.S. by the USDA.

Reductions in survey sample sizes by agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which affects the ability to produce reliable, detailed statistics on employment, especially for specific demographics and geographic areas.

Data Sharing and Consolidation Risks: Efforts to consolidate data across federal agencies to identify waste and fraud, such as linking IRS data with the Department of Education or state-held data for immigration enforcement, have raised concerns about privacy, data misuse, potential surveillance, and cybersecurity breaches. A federal judge blocked the IRS from sharing data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and lawsuits are ongoing.

Methodological Issues in Reporting: There have been notable discrepancies in major economic and demographic data.

The Federal Reserve faced challenges as the initial job numbers they were using earlier in the year turned out to be very wrong after later revisions by the BLS.

A report from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis highlighted significant differences between Current Population Survey (CPS) data on native-born population growth and projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), illustrating the challenges in accurately measuring population shifts. 

These issues contribute to declining public trust in federal statistics, making it difficult for policymakers, businesses, and investors to make informed decisions. 

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader