Washington -- The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis today released personal income and outlays data for December 2009. Personal income rose 0.4 percent, real disposable personal income increased 0.3 percent, and real personal consumption expenditures advanced 0.1 percent. Real consumer spending rose 2.0 percent at an annual rate in the fourth quarter, following a gain of 2.8 percent in the third quarter.
“This morning’s personal income and spending report is another positive sign that our economy continues to move in the right direction. Real consumer spending continued to rise in December, and measures of consumer confidence rose in both December and January,” said Commerce Department Chief Economist Mark Doms. “Real spending rose moderately in both the third and fourth quarters of 2009, following no growth during the first half of the year. Real disposable income also increased in the fourth quarter, partly reflecting growth in government benefits. Further stimulus expenditures will support the ongoing expansion in consumer spending and income.”
Department of Commerce Issues Report for Vice President’s Middle Class Task Force
Washington (Jan. 25)—The Commerce Department’s Economics and Statistics Administration issued a new report for Vice President Biden’s Middle Class Task Force: Middle Class in America. The report, which identifies what it means to be middle class in America today, uses a host of measures to show that it is more difficult today to both attain and maintain a middle-class lifestyle than it was two decades ago. “This report highlights the gravity of the economic realities facing American families aspiring to a middle-class lifestyle," Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. (More) (Report—PDF) (White House press release) (Middle Class Task Force Web site)
2008 Propane Price Analysis
Pursuant to the requirements of the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 (PERA), the Department of Commerce prepares annual analyses of changes in propane prices relative to other energy sources. The most recent report presents the relevant price data and concludes that propane prices have exceeded the threshold established by PERA.
Under Secretary Blank to Help Census Bureau Kick Off Chicago 2010 Census In Schools Program
Chicago (December, 10)—U.S. Department of Commerce Under Secretary Rebecca Blank, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, several former NFL players and students from King College Preparatory High School help U.S. Census Bureau officials launch the national 2010 Census in Schools program in Chicago. The program, "2010 Census: It's About Us," gives schools a wide range of free, optional, standards-based lesson plans on subjects related to the census, ranging from math to social studies. The program is designed for students in kindergarten through 12th grade and will reach all 118,000 schools and 56 million students nationwide. (More) (Fact Sheet-PDF)
United Nations Statistics Division Integration Meeting
Washington, DC (December 7, 2009) - Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs Rebecca Blank (pictured on the right) addressed the United Nations working group that is preparing guidelines on integration of national economic accounts. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Director Steve Landefeld (pictured left) hosted the group from December 7-9.
Under Secretary Blank Briefs U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness; Represents Department of Commerce
WASHINGTON, DC (October 19) - The Obama Administration held the second Full Council meeting of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness on Thursday, October 19. It was the first meeting chaired by U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, who was elected chair by his fellow Cabinet Members and agency heads at the Council's first meeting on June 18, 2009.
Members of the homeless advocacy community including the National Law Center on Homelessness and Policy, National Alliance to End Homelessness, and National Coalition for the Homeless attended and participated. Council members also discussed the 2010 Census with Department of Commerce Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Rebecca Blank pictured speaking. Under Secretary Blank is pictured here with Cabinet Secretaries Sebelius, Donovan, Solis, and Shinseki and Council acting director Pete Dougherty. Here is the link to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness web site: http://www.usich.gov.
Measuring America’s Wellbeing
Washington, DC(October 7) – Dr. Rebecca Blank ,Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, is pictured with Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President, Social Impact and AARP Board member, Lee Hammond. Dr. Blank was the keynote luncheon speaker for the AARP Annual Bill Anderson Lecture Series. She spoke about the 2010 decennial census and poverty measurements.
Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) Statistics Working Group
Washington, DC (September 21) - Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Dr. Rebecca Blank co-chaired a meeting of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) Statistics Working Group at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington D.C. Dr. Blank is pictured with her fellow co-chairs Mr. Fu Ziying, Vice Minister of Commerce, People’s Republic of China, and David Walters, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Economic Affairs.
Joint Economic Committee
Washington, DC (September 10) – Dr. Rebecca Blank testified before the Joint Economic Committee on the newly released Census Bureau data on Family Income, Health Insurance Coverage and Poverty Status of Americans in 2008. Dr. Blank was joined by Cecelia Rouse, Member, Council of Economic Advisers, Thomas Miller, Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute; Dr. Harry Holzer, Professor of Public Policy, Georgetown University and Dr. Karen Davis, President, The Commonwealth Fund.
Flu Panel
Washington, DC (September 9) – Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Dr. Rebecca Blank led a panel on the challenges of the 2009-H1N1 influenza and its potential impact on small businesses before the House Committee on Small Business. She was joined by Rear Admiral Anne Schuchat, MD, USPHS, Assistant Surgeon General, United States Public Health Service and Mr. Bridger McCaw, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Private Sector, Office of Policy/Office of Private Sector, Department of Homeland Security.
2009 Joint Statistical Meeting
Washington, DC (August 3) - Dr. Rebecca Blank, Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, delivered the keynote address to the 2009 Joint Statistical Meeting, a meeting of the American Statistical Association (ASA), the International Biometric Society (ENAR and WNAR), the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS), and the Statistical Society of Canada comprised of over 5,000 statisticians from government, industry and academia meeting at the Washington Convention Center. Dr. Blank spoke about why good statistics are important to understanding the well-being of American families.
Under Secretary Blank Urges NALEO Officials to Make Your Voices Heard
Hollywood, Calif. (June 26)—Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs, Dr. Rebecca Blank urged attendees of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) annual conference to help facilitate “equal access so everyone will participate in the 2010 Census.”
“The Census is at the core of our democracy. It is not partisan, it is American—and it belongs to everyone living in America. It is about opportunity, equality and full representation, regardless of economic status, race or ethnic origin,” Blank said at the annual conference entitled “Latinos and Census 2010: On the Brink of the Count.”
Under Secretary Blank joined NALEO national partners in celebration of their commitment to a full enumeration. Blank praised this 2010 Census national partnership with NALEO Executive Director Arturo Vargas, NALEO Education Fund Chairman Rafael Anchia and other “Ya es hora ¡HAGASE CONTAR! Campaign” (It’s Time, Make Yourself Count!) partners.
The U.S. Census Bureau and NALEO have joined forces to inform and motivate nearly 50 million Latinos to participate in the 2010 Census. For more information on 2010 national partnerships, visit 2010census.gov/partners. (Spanish Version) (Speech) (Presentation)
Hear Under Secretary Blank’s interview on Southern California Public Radio, KPCC-FM on Thursday, June 25, 2009 through this link:
Under Secretary Blank Confers with Australian Deputy Prime Minister
Washington, DC (June 19) – Dr. Blank met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard during a working lunch devoted to socioeconomic issues. The Deputy Prime Minster is deputy head of the Australian government and carries the cabinet responsibility for education, employment, workplace relations and social inclusion. Under Secretary Blank attended to offer her expertise to the discussion on social policy responses to poverty and social inclusion.
Dr. Rebecca Blank Sworn In as Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Top Economic Advisor to Commerce Secretary
Washington, DC (June 9) – Dr. Rebecca Blank was sworn in today as the new Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs. Dr. Blank will oversee two of the Nation’s preeminent statistical agencies: the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Affairs. She will also serve as the top economic advisor to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. (More)
Blank Confirmed as Top Economic Advisor to Commerce Secretary
Rebecca Blank, Ph.D, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday, May 21st as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs. As the Economic Advisor to the Secretary of Commerce, and head of the Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA), Dr. Blank will also have management responsibility for the two top statistical agencies in the United States, the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). “In Dr. Blank, we have the right person to handle a series of looming challenges,” Commerce Sec. Gary Locke said. “She will help the Census Bureau conduct an accurate and complete count in the 2010 Census, and I’m relying on her to provide sound economic data and analysis to guide the nation through the worst economic crisis in 60 years.” (More)
Washington, DC (July 13)—The United States Senate confirmed Dr. Robert Groves as the new director of the U.S. Census Bureau, on a strong bipartisan voice vote. Groves, a highly respected expert in the field of survey methodology, takes the helm of the agency at a critical time as it makes final preparations for the 2010 Census. “The 2010 Census faces significant challenges and Dr. Groves will help us meet those challenges,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “He is a respected social scientist, highly regarded by the professional statisticians, geographers, mathematicians and demographers who work at the Census Bureau. He will run the agency with the integrity and independence demanded by the Constitution, and expected by the American people.” (More) (Press Release)
Groves Nomination Clears Committee and Sent to U.S. Senate
Dr. Robert Groves, Nominee for Director of the United States Census Bureau, Department of Commerce was unanimously approved by voice vote without objections on Wednesday, May 20 by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. His nomination was sent to the full U.S. Senate for confirmation.
For information about Commerce agencies' efforts, visit Commerce.gov/Recovery. For information about the entire government's effort, visit Recovery.gov.
For information about Commerce agencies' efforts, visit