Bill Overview
Title: PANA Act
Description: This bill establishes the Venezuela Restoration Fund to strengthen democratic governance and institutions, defend human rights, support independent media outlets, and combat corruption and improve transparency in Venezuela. Any funds or assets forfeited to the United States by an individual or entity connected to the regimes of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela will be deposited into this fund.
Sponsors: Rep. Crist, Charlie [D-FL-13]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals in Venezuela affected by governance, human rights, and corruption issues
Estimated Size: 5000
- The primary focus of the bill is on promoting democracy, defending human rights, and combating corruption in Venezuela.
- These actions are presumably aimed at benefiting the Venezuelan population, particularly those opposing the current regime.
- The bill targets those currently impacted by the governance of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro.
- Secondary impact may also pertain to individuals connected with the regimes who may lose assets.
Reasoning
- The PANA Act focuses primarily on issues within Venezuela, so its direct impact on individuals in the US is minimal. This population would mostly consist of those indirectly affected, such as Venezuelan-Americans, human rights activists, or financial institutions that may deal with forfeited assets.
- The subject population in the US could include Venezuelan expatriates, potentially affected by changes in the Venezuelan political landscape, and American citizens involved in related policy advocacy or who have business interests tied to Venezuela.
- Given the funds' focus on improving conditions in Venezuela, any increase in wellbeing in the US would likely be minor and contingent on social or financial connections to the Venezuelan issues. Moreover, the policy's budget limits suggest a targeted and incremental impact.
- Because the main objective is international governance reform, US-based entities' involvement is likely peripheral, with more significant changes perceived by those with close ties to the Venezuelan community.
Simulated Interviews
Venezuelan-American community leader (Miami, FL)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy helps bring about change in Venezuela. Any action towards curbing corruption is welcome.
- I worry about the potential for only a select few to benefit.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Human rights lawyer (New York, NY)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a crucial step in holding those responsible for corruption accountable.
- It's encouraging to see international support for democratic processes in Venezuela.
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 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Oil industry executive (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stabilizing Venezuelan politics would be beneficial for business.
- However, I am concerned about how these funds are managed.
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 |
Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see measures that might lead to a more just future for Venezuela.
- My family still feels deeply connected to their homeland.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Government policy analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 38 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy reflects a responsible move by the United States.
- The intangible outcomes like strengthened governance are hard to measure quickly.
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 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Journalist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this as a tool to bring transparency.
- Skeptical whether assets will be large enough to prompt change.
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 | 7 |
Retired (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support any act that can lead to recovering stolen assets.
- Hopeful for The effects on generations back home.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Environmental policy student (Boston, MA)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this helps the people of Venezuela and promotes democracy.
- This could strengthen international efforts to address corruption.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Venezuelan-American business owner (Orlando, FL)
Age: 56 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The freeze on assets is good news—it shows wrongdoing won't go unpunished.
- It could encourage greater transparency in business dealings.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Finance manager (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy measures like this can be double-edged—economic unpredictability is a risk to assets beyond just for those involved directly..
- At the same time, this push for transparency could stabilize an uncertain future.
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 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $12000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $13000000 (Low: $11000000, High: $16000000)
Year 3: $13500000 (Low: $11500000, High: $17000000)
Year 5: $14500000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 10: $16000000 (Low: $13500000, High: $20000000)
Year 100: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Key Considerations
- The success of the PANA Act relies heavily on international cooperation and local conditions in Venezuela.
- Risk of corruption or inappropriate allocation of resources, requiring stringent oversight.
- Dependence on the volume and value of forfeited assets which are uncertain.