Bill Overview
Title: Make Russia Pay Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to liquidate all Russian assets seized by the United States and deposit the resulting funds into a Ukrainian Humanitarian Aid Fund established by the bill. Treasury may use the funds to provide assistance to Ukraine, including by providing funding to Ukraine's government for humanitarian and security assistance.
Sponsors: Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]
Target Audience
Population: Ukrainian population affected by humanitarian and security issues
Estimated Size: 0
- The bill involves the liquidation of Russian assets seized in the United States.
- The funds from the liquidation are to be deposited into a Ukrainian Humanitarian Aid Fund.
- The purpose of the funds is to provide assistance to Ukraine, including humanitarian and security support.
- Therefore, the target population includes the Ukrainian population, particularly those affected by humanitarian and security issues due to ongoing conflict or economic instability in Ukraine.
Reasoning
- The policy focuses on liquidating Russian assets to aid Ukraine, which directly targets Ukrainian humanitarian needs rather than individual Americans.
- American perspectives may still vary due to indirect geopolitical implications, political views, ethical considerations, or media influence.
- U.S. taxpayers indirectly finance the operation but are not direct beneficiaries of the aid fund.
- The focus on wellbeing should take into account perceived effectiveness, fairness, and broader geopolitical impacts on security or economy, if any.
Simulated Interviews
International Relations Professor (New York, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supporting Ukraine aligns with democratic values.
- The bill's direct impact on Americans is limited, but geopolitical stability indirectly affects everyone.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Business Owner (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This might improve Ukraine's situation, but I'm unsure about the longer economic impact.
- As a business owner, global stability is vital for supply chains.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Aid Worker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support the redistribution of wealth to aid beleaguered populations.
- Wish the policy could also accommodate other humanitarian needs globally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired Military Officer (Dallas, TX)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Investing in Ukraine is crucial for European security.
- Continued support may prevent larger conflicts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Tax Consultant (Miami, FL)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This adds understanding complexity to international finance and taxation laws.
- Clients may question international asset policies.
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 |
Software Developer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Happy to see reallocated funds serving people in need.
- Wonders if similar strategies might be applied to cybersecurity threats.
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 |
Retiree (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supportive of using assets for humanitarian aid, reflects moral duty.
- Would prefer expanded domestic social services too.
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 | 5 |
Financial Analyst (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a justified approach leveraging seized assets.
- Curious about long-term financial impacts on US economy.
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 | 7 |
Teacher (Houston, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It provides a practical example of historic sanctions.
- Hopes it educates students on humanitarian responsibilities.
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 |
Farmer (Denver, CO)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While primarily focused on local issues, supporting Ukraine is a noble cause.
- America's broader role often impacts trade indirectly.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The efficiency of asset liquidation will significantly affect administrative costs.
- International diplomatic reactions might affect future U.S. economic or political strategy.
- The volume of assets accessible or legally permissible for liquidation could vary.