Bill Overview
Title: Civil Rights Cold Case Investigations Support Act of 2022
Description: This bill extends the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board until 2026 (or 2027 if the board opts for an additional one-year extension). The board reviews the decisions of federal agencies to postpone the disclosure of civil rights cold case records (i.e., unsolved civil rights cases from 1940-1979).
Sponsors: Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by unsolved civil rights cases from 1940-1979
Estimated Size: 4000000
- The bill focuses on civil rights cold cases from 1940-1979, impacting individuals who were directly involved or affected by these cases.
- Family members of people involved in these unsolved civil rights cases could gain closure and justice, numbering potentially in the thousands per case.
- Historians, researchers, and civil rights activists will benefit from greater access to these records, which can further understanding and education on civil rights history.
- The greater public also benefits indirectly from transparency in historical government actions and civil rights advancements.
Reasoning
- The individuals most directly impacted by the policy are those with personal ties to the unsolved civil rights cases, primarily family members seeking justice and closure. This segment is small compared to the total U.S. population.
- The policy will also impact historians, researchers, and activists who rely on detailed records to advance understanding and education on civil rights history—a group that, while small, is influential.
- Most of the general public will not feel a direct impact, but there will be an indirect benefit from a richer, more transparent account of civil rights history, influencing education and cultural dialogue.
- Given the budget constraints, direct support should prioritize the most requested cases where family members or public interest point toward unresolved issues.
- The distribution of policy effects is skewed towards specific geographic areas in the southern United States where numerous civil rights cases occurred.
- While the overall effect on Cantril wellbeing may seem small when averaged across the whole population, the depth of impact on those affected is substantial.
Simulated Interviews
Retired school teacher (Mississippi)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill finally feels like a step towards closure for my family.
- I've waited decades for answers, and this could be my last hope to get them.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Civil rights historian (Alabama)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to these records will significantly enhance my research and understanding of civil rights history.
- This policy contributes to an important transparency for historical research.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Civil rights activist (California)
Age: 44 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The release of these records will invigorate activism and bring new energy to educate communities on civil rights history.
- It holds institutions accountable, which is crucial for building trust.
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 | 6 | 6 |
Documentary filmmaker (New York)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could make or break my film depending on access to records.
- The transparency could offer a richer narrative and significant breakthroughs in my work.
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 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
School principal (Georgia)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aids in bringing more truthful content into our history lessons.
- Students deserve full disclosure of our nation's past.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired lawyer (Texas)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy provides a potential legal resource for ongoing cases, though it's limited by the scope of records available.
- It's a long-overdue legislative advancement.
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 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Journalist (Illinois)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If successful, this policy will allow journalists like me to shed light on the murkier aspects of civil rights history.
- Transparency enriches responsible journalism.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
College student (Florida)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Provides a great opportunity to expand my thesis on neglected civil rights issues.
- Access to these records aligns with my academic pursuits.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Civil rights attorney (Washington D.C.)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act will affect ongoing and future reforms in civil rights laws.
- It fortifies legal precedents and enhances justice initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
High school history teacher (Nebraska)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy allows educators like me to provide students with a fuller, factual representation of history.
- Equips students for informed citizenship roles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $2000000)
Year 2: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $2000000)
Year 3: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $2000000)
Year 5: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $2000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The key function of the bill is to continue providing transparency for historical civil rights cases, without immediate fiscal benefits.
- Long-term historical and educational importance is a significant intangible benefit that the policy provides to civil rights and historical research communities.