Bill Overview
Title: REPORT Act
Description: This bill requires specified federal agencies to report to Congress concerning any act of terrorism that occurs in the United States. Whenever an act of terrorism occurs, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and, as appropriate, the National Counterterrorism Center (NCC), must submit to the appropriate congressional committees, as specified by this bill, an unclassified report not later than one year after the completion of the investigation by the primary agency conducting the investigation concerning the terrorist act. Such report shall (1) include a statement of the facts of the act of terrorism that are known at the time of such report; (2) identify any gaps in homeland or national security that could be addressed to prevent future acts of terrorism; and (3) include any recommendations for additional measures that could be taken to improve homeland or national security, such as changes in law enforcement practices or changes in law. If DHS, DOJ, and the FBI or, as appropriate, the NCC, determines any information required to be reported could jeopardize an ongoing investigation or prosecution, such entities (1) may withhold from reporting such information, and (2) shall notify the appropriate congressional committees of that determination.
Sponsors: Rep. Aguilar, Pete [D-CA-31]
Target Audience
Population: People impacted by acts of terrorism and national security measures
Estimated Size: 330000000
- The primary group impacted by the REPORT Act will be U.S. citizens since the bill pertains to acts of terrorism that occur within the United States.
- The U.S. agencies responsible for national security and counterterrorism, including the DHS, DOJ, FBI, and NCC, are required to perform specific actions and thus are impacted by this bill at an operational level.
- The bill affects the members of Congress who will receive reports, potentially allowing them to make informed legislative decisions on national security.
- The general public, particularly communities affected by terrorism, could see indirect impacts through potential changes in national security measures.
- The purpose of the bill is to enhance national security and potentially prevent future acts of terrorism, indirectly impacting the safety and well-being of the entire U.S. population.
Reasoning
- The REPORT Act is primarily targeting the prevention of terrorism within the U.S., with a focus on improving national security through systemic reporting and policy adjustments.
- The financial scope involves operational costs related to the mandated reporting systems within federal agencies, but these costs are relatively modest compared to the broader budget of the agencies involved.
- Public perception and sense of security may be affected, potentially increasing wellbeing scores for people who value enhanced national security measures.
- Not everyone in the U.S. feels directly threatened by terrorism, so the policy's impact on wellbeing will vary significantly across the population.
- Indirect benefits might manifest in heightened community trust in national security systems, particularly in regions previously affected by terrorism or those at high perceived risk.
- The policy will mostly affect people already dealing with the consequences of terrorism, such as victims and their families, as well as communities living in areas deemed high-risk for terrorism.
- People working within the national security and counterterrorism fields will see operational changes, but for the broader public, enhanced national security insights could offer a minor boost to wellbeing if perceived as effective.
Simulated Interviews
Financial Analyst (New York City, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's important for our government to take terrorism seriously, and this sounds like a step in the right direction.
- I’d like to see more transparency and feel safer knowing there's a structured response plan in place.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Policy Advisor (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Mandating reports could potentially enhance our understanding and preparation against terrorism.
- There are implementation challenges, but transparency and accountability are vital.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Graduate Student (Austin, TX)
Age: 26 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act seems to focus on transparency, which I believe is crucial in maintaining public trust.
- I hope that it will actually translate to better protections for citizens.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Tech Industry Worker (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The integration of intelligence on terrorist activities should enhance my sense of safety living in a big city.
- Reports on findings and improvements can bridge gaps in public awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired (Rural Montana)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill seems more relevant to urban regions and places with terrorism risks.
- In rural areas, terrorism isn't a big concern so this policy may not have a noticeable impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Community Social Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial to understand the root causes of terrorism and offer community-based solutions.
- I'm hopeful but skeptical that this will lead to real change in security tactics.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Emergency Services Coordinator (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Structured reporting can help us prepare better locally if insights are shared properly.
- It would be great to feel like our local safety measures are informed by national security trends.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Journalist (Miami, FL)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could affect how I report on security issues, hopefully increasing transparency.
- I'm interested in how this might change public discourse on safety and security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
High School Teacher (Houston, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this leads to students asking more critical questions about security policy.
- Reports may help contextualize historical and current events in our curriculum.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Software Developer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- National security data should influence technology solutions for better safety.
- Aligning tech innovation with security policy could foster new opportunities in my field.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 5: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 10: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 100: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Key Considerations
- The implementation will rely heavily on the efficiency and coordination between the DHS, DOJ, FBI, and NCC.
- The frequency of terrorism-related incidents will directly affect reporting workload and costs.
- Ensuring the confidentiality and security of data while reporting sensitive national security details will be crucial.