Bill Overview
Title: Ukraine Sovereignty Act
Description: This bill prohibits any federal agency from taking any action or extending any assistance that recognizes or implies recognition of Russia's claim of sovereignty over any part of Ukraine (to include Crimea), its airspace, or its territorial waters. It also prohibits federal recognition of any claims of sovereignty of the Donetsk People's Republic, the Luhansk People's Republic, or any other closely related successor entities.
Sponsors: Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10]
Target Audience
Population: People in Ukraine, Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill directly impacts Ukraine, specifically in terms of its territorial integrity and international recognition.
- There are approximately 44 million people in Ukraine who might be directly or indirectly affected by the level of international recognition and support their country receives.
- The impact of the bill extends to Russia as it creates legislative barriers for the U.S. recognizing Russian claims over Ukrainian territories. Inhabitants of these disputed zones, especially Crimea, which has around 2.4 million residents, would be directly affected.
- The bill impacts international relations, especially between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia, which could affect global political stability.
Reasoning
- The primary effect of the Ukraine Sovereignty Act is on the federal agencies, with indirect outcomes on American citizens who have a vested interest due to personal or professional connections with Ukraine or Russia.
- The policy reflects more strongly on diplomatic relations and international policies rather than direct everyday life influences for the average American.
- Given the budget constraint of $500,000 USD for year 1 and $5,000,000 USD over 10 years, the direct impact on individual American well-being might be limited unless they have specific ties to the regions involved.
- The American population that might see notable changes are likely to have family or business interests in the affected regions, or work within federal agencies interacting with foreign diplomacy.
- A large portion of the U.S. population may remain unaffected in any meaningful way, as this policy targets diplomatic recognition rather than direct economic or social issues of the American populace.
Simulated Interviews
Foreign Affairs Analyst (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy reaffirms U.S. commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, which is a relief given my family ties there.
- I think this act might limit certain diplomatic channels with Russia, potentially increasing tensions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Tech Consultant (New York, NY)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I doubt this policy will have a big impact on my life or work.
- I'm more concerned about how it might affect business relations overall, but it seems unlikely to have a major immediate 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 |
Retired (Chicago, IL)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm pleased to see the U.S. taking a stand with this policy.
- I think this clarifies our position without directly escalating conflicts. It supports soldiers who served in the region like myself.
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 | 7 | 5 |
University Student (Austin, TX)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will likely serve as a case study in international negotiations and sovereignty.
- I think it's an important statement, but I'm uncertain of its long-term implications.
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 |
Government Employee (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will streamline our diplomatic efforts while upholding our stance on Ukraine.
- I foresee more consistent policies, although it may strain certain discussions where Russia is involved.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Business Owner (San Diego, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this doesn’t complicate shipping logistics, though it probably won't have much immediate effect.
- It's important for U.S. to maintain international integrity, so I support it.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Journalist (Houston, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a significant development for the ongoing narrative between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia.
- Coverage will likely increase around these themes, providing more content and insights for my work.
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 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Travel Agent (Miami, FL)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m not sure this will impact tourism drastically, as interest in the region often revolves more around attractions than political shifts.
- It's good to maintain clarity on where the U.S. stands internationally - that can help with client inquiries.
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 | 6 | 6 |
Graduate Researcher (Boston, MA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's policies like this that provide concrete examples for my research into international law and sovereignty.
- The policy strengthens discourse around territorial integrity.
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 | 6 | 5 |
IT Specialist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don’t see how this will have any impact on my personal or professional life.
- It seems more pertinent to those involved in diplomacy or with direct ties to the regions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $250000, High: $750000)
Year 2: $500000 (Low: $250000, High: $750000)
Year 3: $500000 (Low: $250000, High: $750000)
Year 5: $500000 (Low: $250000, High: $750000)
Year 10: $500000 (Low: $250000, High: $750000)
Year 100: $500000 (Low: $250000, High: $750000)
Key Considerations
- The geopolitical focus of the bill may influence international relations, but these impacts are difficult to quantify in economic terms.
- Diplomatic strategy costs are minimal and should be managed within existing agency budgets.
- Potential impacts on U.S. citizens' travel and familial relations abroad are logistical and cultural rather than economic or financial.