Bill Overview
Title: Stopping the Spread of Taxpayer-Funded Bioweapons Act of 2022
Description: This bill prohibits the Department of Defense Cooperative Threat Reduction Program from engaging in certain activities related to biological threats. (The program works with foreign countries to address the risks from weapons of mass destruction, including by securing such weapons and detecting the spread of especially dangerous pathogens.) Specifically, the program may not engage in (1) cooperative biological engagement; or (2) activities for facilitating the detection and reporting of diseases that could be used as an early warning detection mechanism for outbreaks, regardless of whether such diseases are caused by biological weapons.
Sponsors: Rep. Greene, Marjorie Taylor [R-GA-14]
Target Audience
Population: People around the world potentially affected by biological threat mismanagement
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The bill impacts global health security as it reduces cooperation in detecting and reporting disease outbreaks.
- Access to early warning systems for diseases is critical for global populations to prepare and respond to potential outbreaks of infectious diseases.
- The limitation on detecting and reporting capabilities will likely impact countries that rely on U.S. assistance for biological threat reduction.
Reasoning
- The policy targets international cooperation on disease detection and biological threat management, indirectly affecting U.S. citizens through increased potential risk of international disease outbreaks reaching the U.S.
- Most U.S. citizens may be unaware of the direct impacts but could experience indirect consequences should global disease surveillance weaken.
- High-risk groups would include those involved in international trade, travel, or those residing in major cities with significant international traffic.
- People working in global health security or related sectors might have stronger opinions due to professional and personal stakes in maintaining strong disease monitoring systems.
- Common citizens may not see an immediate direct effect but could struggle with eventual public health challenges that arise from reduced global disease surveillance.
Simulated Interviews
Public Health Specialist (New York City, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The lack of cooperation in biological threat reduction could significantly hinder our ability to manage and prevent pandemics.
- Policy short-sightedness worries me, especially knowing the importance of shared data in tracking diseases.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 7 |
Travel Consultant (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I depend on stable global conditions for my travel business; instability worries me.
- Uncertainty about disease outbreaks affects both my job and personal life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 8 |
Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any policy decreasing international disease management is a disservice to global health.
- Pandemics start somewhere, and I’d like my government to help in stopping them internationally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
Engineer (Houston, TX)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think these policies might have unseen long-term impacts due to reduced global cooperation.
- I'm concerned about international relations and their trickle-down effects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I strongly believe in the power of international health alliances—this move could weaken our defense against global crises.
- Having lived through major health scares, I value preparedness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Software Developer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 26 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I find international cooperation crucial, especially in tech development for disease management systems.
- Such policy changes could limit tech innovations aimed at global healthcare solutions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 7 |
Restaurant Manager (Seattle, WA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Global instability concerns me due to its ripple effect on trade and travel.
- My industry thrives when everything is open and safe.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
Nurse (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 44 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies reducing disease prevention are worrying.
- Having seen COVID-19 firsthand, international alerts and cooperation are vital.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 7 |
Entrepreneur (Austin, TX)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Being ahead on health issues is critical for global businesses.
- International oversight supports our operations' long-term planning.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 8 |
College Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a student aware of the necessity for international efforts in health, this policy seems regressive.
- Global health education might also suffer without these cooperative policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $80000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $31000000, High: $82000000)
Year 3: $54000000 (Low: $32000000, High: $84000000)
Year 5: $58000000 (Low: $34000000, High: $88000000)
Year 10: $66000000 (Low: $39000000, High: $100000000)
Year 100: $132000000 (Low: $78000000, High: $200000000)
Key Considerations
- The immediate fiscal savings must be balanced against potential future economic risks associated with biological threats.
- Adequate alternative measures must be established to handle any gaps created by the cessation in cooperative biological programs.
- Long-term impacts on the U.S. and global biosecurity must be considered.