Bill Overview
Title: Countering Chinese Espionage Reporting Act
Description: This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to annually report to Congress and make publicly available a report related to Chinese national security threats. In particular, this report must include (1) a description of DOJ activities and operations related to countering Chinese national security threats and espionage in the United States, and (2) an accounting of DOJ resources that are dedicated to programs aimed at combating national security threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party.
Sponsors: Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5]
Target Audience
Population: Chinese individuals involved in espionage and their affiliates
Estimated Size: 1500000
- The bill focuses on Chinese national security threats and espionage in the United States, therefore it primarily targets Chinese entities and individuals involved in espionage activities.
- It involves the DOJ reporting on activities, operations, and resources, meaning government agencies and departments primarily connected to national security may see operational changes.
- Individuals or entities engaged in collaboration or partnerships with Chinese organizations for academic, business, or research purposes might also be subjected to increased scrutiny under such a policy.
- The general public may have indirect impacts as these reports become publicly available and influence public perception of national security threats related to China.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily affects Chinese nationals involved in espionage activities within the U.S., and U.S. departments involved in national security.
- Some U.S. citizens may feel an increased sense of security with publicly available reports on espionage threats, while others may perceive increased scrutiny on Chinese citizens as potentially discriminatory.
- There is a limited financial budget, implying that the direct impact will be moderate rather than transformative.
- The policy's influence on individual wellbeing is mostly indirect, via societal perceptions of security and scrutiny. As such, personal Cantril scores may not shift drastically except for those under direct investigation.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think transparency is crucial when dealing with national security issues, but I hope this doesn't lead to unnecessary scrutiny of all things Chinese.
- I worry how this might affect our business relations with our stakeholders abroad.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Graduate Student (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Act feels like it might create additional hurdles for my research partnerships.
- I'm concerned about being unfairly targeted just because I work with Chinese researchers.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
National Security Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Publicly sharing national security work helps citizens understand the challenges we face.
- The policy should enable us to direct resources more effectively.
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 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Civil Rights Activist (Austin, TX)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried that this could contribute to racial profiling against Asian-Americans.
- It's important that the policy is transparent to avoid reinforcing stereotypes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Film Producer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this policy as a potential hindrance to international creative collaborations.
- Hopefully, it won't discourage Chinese partners from investing in our projects due to fear of increased surveillance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
College Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried that this policy could distort how we see China and affect our studies abroad.
- It's critical we maintain academic integrity and not succumb to baseless suspicion.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Chef (Seattle, WA)
Age: 48 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not sure how this impacts me directly, but I hope it doesn't lead to unwarranted suspicion of everything Chinese.
- As long as my business isn't affected, I'm fine with it.
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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cybersecurity Expert (Chicago, IL)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any measures that enhance our capability to counter espionage are welcome.
- The policy should help prioritize funding where it is needed for national defense.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Research Scientist (Houston, TX)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm apprehensive that this could lead to increased scrutiny and possibly hinder our collaborations.
- I hope transparency will lead to a clear understanding rather than assumptions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm supportive of measures that ensure our country's safety, but we need to make sure we're not discriminating against anyone.
- Understanding our security needs can help keep us informed citizens.
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 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $10500000 (Low: $7350000, High: $15750000)
Year 3: $11025000 (Low: $7717500, High: $16537500)
Year 5: $12155000 (Low: $8508500, High: $18232500)
Year 10: $14956900 (Low: $10469830, High: $22435350)
Year 100: $406865246 (Low: $285775672, High: $610297869)
Key Considerations
- The accuracy and comprehensiveness of DOJ reporting are critical to the act's effectiveness in countering espionage.
- Potential diplomatic strains with China may arise, influencing trade or other bilateral activities.
- Consideration of privacy and civil liberties is crucial as U.S. entities and individuals may come under increased scrutiny.