Bill Overview
Title: COI Elimination Act
Description: This bill limits U.S. contributions to the United Nations pertaining to the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. Current law imposes a cap on the annual U.S. contribution to the U.N. budget. The bill lowers that cap by 25% of the amount budgeted for the commission. The bill also states that it shall be U.S. policy to seek the abolition of the commission and combat systemic anti-Israel bias in international bodies.
Sponsors: Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
Target Audience
Population: People in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel
Estimated Size: 50000
- The bill affects the United Nations' funding, specifically related to the Commission of Inquiry into the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel.
- Funding cuts or the abolition of the commission could alter its activities, implicating people living in those regions.
- The bill focuses on the U.N. operations related to a sensitive geopolitical issue, which indicates potential direct impacts on discussions or actions regarding Palestinian and Israeli regions.
- Any perceived or real imbalances in investigations and reporting by the U.N. could affect international relations and perceptions in regions related to Israel and Palestine.
- While the number directly under U.N. research is relatively small, broader geopolitical implications mean a larger number can be indirectly affected.
Reasoning
- The direct effects of the policy are on international funding and not directly on U.S. citizens. Therefore, most U.S. citizens who are not highly involved in foreign policy-related activities will experience no impact.
- The cost and program size limits mean that relatively few individuals, primarily those engaged in international advocacy or policy work, will perceive direct impacts.
- Geopolitical repercussions might affect the perceptions or engagement levels of U.S. citizens with international policy interests, especially those skewed towards Middle-Eastern politics.
- Given the financial stipulations, the policy impacts are likely marginal within the U.S., focusing more on indirect perception changes than financial or direct wellbeing changes.
- Public opinion could be a diplomatic and cultural effect not easily quantifiable in strict budgetary terms but relevant to the policy's indirect impacts.
Simulated Interviews
Academic Professor (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy limits oversight on important international issues.
- It feels like an undermining of international checks and balances.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's risky to discourage international inquiry.
- The U.S.'s position in international relations might be weakened.
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 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Freelance Journalist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could restrict necessary discussions about human rights.
- American disengagement in unbiased global research is concerning.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Human Rights Activist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This limits USA's positive engagement in international oversight.
- It could set a worrying precedent for anti-bias efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Non-Profit Director (Houston, TX)
Age: 38 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy shifts resource allocation negatively.
- Efforts to abolish the commission may diminish accountability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Graduate Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will likely polarize international policy discourse.
- Abolishing the commission reduces objectivity in global affairs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Retired Diplomat (Miami, FL)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might weaken America's role in global diplomacy.
- Abolishing the commission sends a negative signal.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Business Owner (San Diego, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might have indirect effects but is mostly symbolic.
- Concerned more about local economic 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 |
Retired Teacher (Dallas, TX)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is less relevant to everyday concerns.
- Feels policies affecting close to home are more impactful.
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 |
Software Engineer (Boston, MA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Doesn't see the relevance in U.S. policy abroad to personal life.
- Policy seems more about international diplomacy than local impact.
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 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1250000 (Low: $1000000, High: $1500000)
Year 2: $1250000 (Low: $1000000, High: $1500000)
Year 3: $1250000 (Low: $1000000, High: $1500000)
Year 5: $1250000 (Low: $1000000, High: $1500000)
Year 10: $1250000 (Low: $1000000, High: $1500000)
Year 100: $1250000 (Low: $1000000, High: $1500000)
Key Considerations
- Potential changes in U.S. international standing or diplomatic relations, especially regarding Middle East policy.
- Domestic perceptions of the policy potentially influencing public opinion on international involvement.
- Influence on allied nations' policies toward U.N. funding based on U.S. domestic decisions.
- Careful monitoring of international reactions to assess broader impacts.