Bill Overview
Title: Secure America’s Borders First Act
Description: This bill prohibits using federal funds to provide certain military assistance to Ukraine until a border wall system along the U.S.-Mexico border is completed and operation control of such border is achieved. Specifically, this prohibition shall apply to funds made available to the Department of Defense and funds made available for security assistance or security cooperation.
Sponsors: Rep. Rosendale Sr., Matthew M. [R-MT-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border and citizens of Ukraine
Estimated Size: 35000000
- The bill aims to halt military assistance to Ukraine until the U.S.-Mexico border wall is completed, potentially affecting citizens of both the U.S. and Ukraine.
- American citizens may experience changes in security operations along the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Individuals in Mexico near the border might be impacted by changes in border security and physical barriers.
- Ukrainian citizens, particularly those reliant on U.S. military aid, may experience changes in security dynamics due to delayed or reduced funds.
Reasoning
- The population affected by the policy includes both U.S. citizens living near the U.S.-Mexico border and individuals in Ukraine affected by U.S. policy changes.
- The budget constraint requires understanding the cost of not providing military assistance to Ukraine and redirecting funds to border security.
- The Cantril wellbeing scores offer insights into individual perceived life quality changes, factoring in security, political, and economic aspects.
Simulated Interviews
Border Patrol Agent (El Paso, Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe securing our borders is critical for national security.
- Delaying assistance to Ukraine is justified if it helps us secure our borders.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
NGO worker (Houston, Texas)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy unfairly penalizes vulnerable communities and could worsen humanitarian issues.
- Shifting from military aid to border walls is an oversimplification of complex issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Entrepreneur (San Diego, California)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy risks damaging economic relations with Mexico.
- Cross-border trade is vital for my business, and increased barriers are harmful.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Retired Teacher (Tucson, Arizona)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Safety is important, but it's essential not to ignore global responsibilities.
- Balancing between local security and international alliances is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Environmental Activist (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Building a border wall is environmentally damaging and socially harmful.
- Funds should be directed towards sustainable solutions and alliances.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Construction Worker (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy means more jobs for people in construction like me.
- While I see the economic benefits, there are other considerations about its effectiveness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Policy Analyst (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I find the redirection of funds from international aid to domestic security shortsighted.
- A thorough, informed approach is needed for both immigration and international relations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Graduate Student (San Antonio, Texas)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might harm U.S. standing in global relations by ignoring international obligations.
- I advocate for nuanced strategies balancing local and global security issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Farmer (Dallas, Texas)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This wall policy creates significant issues regarding land use and personal rights.
- Potentially losing land or having restricted access poses serious concerns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Healthcare Worker (Brownsville, Texas)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reducing aid to Ukraine for a border wall is alarming from a humanitarian standpoint.
- We should focus on policies that support and protect vulnerable communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1200000000 (Low: $1000000000, High: $1400000000)
Year 2: $1500000000 (Low: $1300000000, High: $1700000000)
Year 3: $1800000000 (Low: $1500000000, High: $2000000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The completion timeline for the border wall will determine the duration of any savings from halted military aid.
- Economic impact on regions along the border due to construction activities and enhanced security measures.
- Diplomatic impacts and potential geopolitical consequences due to halted assistance to Ukraine.
- Environmental impacts of border wall construction.