Bill Overview
Title: PUPPETS Act of 2022
Description: This bill designates specified entities as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorist organizations. The bill also prohibits the Department of Defense from taking any action that implies recognition of the sovereignty of such entities over territory or airspace claimed by the governments of Ukraine, Moldova, or Georgia. Entities subject to this bill include any entities holding themselves out to be the governments of any region of Ukraine that was not elected through elections in 2019 or 2020, the Pridnestrovian Moldovian Republic, the Republic of South Ossetia, or the Republic of Abkhazia.
Sponsors: Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-26]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals living in territories in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia claimed by designated entities.
Estimated Size: 5000
- There are approximately 44 million people living in Ukraine, with significant numbers in contested regions such as Donetsk and Luhansk.
- Transnistria is a breakaway region in Moldova with a population of around 465,000 people.
- South Ossetia and Abkhazia are territories in Georgia with populations of around 53,000 and 245,000, respectively.
- Individuals in these regions may face greater security, economic, and geopolitical uncertainties as a result of being designated as supporting terrorism.
- Given these regions are in Eastern Europe, their populations collectively total several million.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily targets foreign entities; thus, its impact on U.S. citizens is limited.
- Only a small segment of U.S. citizens, such as those involved in diplomacy or international aid, are directly affected.
- Domestic perception may vary based on online and media narratives and political alignments.
- With the policy budget and scale, direct effects on individual wellbeing scores are likely modest but could be notable for those directly engaged with these regions.
- Many Americans may not feel a direct impact from global geopolitical moves, showing no change in wellbeing scores.
Simulated Interviews
Foreign Service Officer (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this legislation is necessary to maintain global order.
- It may create additional challenges in my line of work, but those are manageable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
International Relations Professor (New York, NY)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act addresses crucial geopolitical issues, although its execution could be complex.
- Interested to see how this affects international dynamics.
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 | 8 | 8 |
Non-Profit Worker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might increase tension in these regions, affecting the communities I support.
- I am concerned about potential backlash against immigrants.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like this are crucial to prevent unauthorized power grabs.
- I worry about the potential for increased military tensions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Engineer (Houston, TX)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't think this policy affects me directly, but I understand why it's needed.
- Sound foreign policies are important for national 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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Financial Analyst (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The act is necessary for long-term market stability in Eastern Europe.
- Short-term, it may introduce volatility that needs careful management.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Software Developer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 26 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm interested in how U.S. foreign policies evolve, though this won't influence my daily life.
- I believe global stability supports economic health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Journalist (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act might complicate reporting in contested territories.
- I value the clear stance it takes on unauthorized occupied territories.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Dallas, TX)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While the policy ensures political consistency, I fear trade complications.
- Monitoring geopolitical strategies is part and parcel of international business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Novelist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might not impact my work directly, but it shapes the narratives I choose to explore.
- Peace in Eastern Europe is beneficial for creativity and output.
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 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $45000000)
Year 2: $31000000 (Low: $26000000, High: $46000000)
Year 3: $32000000 (Low: $27000000, High: $47000000)
Year 5: $35000000 (Low: $29000000, High: $49000000)
Year 10: $40000000 (Low: $33000000, High: $53000000)
Year 100: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Key Considerations
- The geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe is delicate and any policy impacting this area carries inherent international risks.
- Increased defense and intelligence activities may be necessary, incurring higher costs.
- Potential international backlash or additional pressures from allied nations may incur diplomatic costs or require further negotiations.