Very interesting!
I'm not sure that actually happened.
You'll perhaps recall that retiring Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) was initally appointed Secretary of Commerce. When it became known that the President intended to transfer the census function out of the Commerce Department (leaving it with NOAA and little else), Gregg made a stink and refused to accept the post.
Subsequently, Obama agreed to leave the Census where it was -- in the Commerce Department. Gregg walked away anyway.
I don't think the transfer of the Census to the White House ever actually took place.