Bill Overview
Title: TPA Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of State to only permit passport applicants to select male or female as a gender designation.
Sponsors: Rep. Lesko, Debbie [R-AZ-8]
Target Audience
Population: People who identify as non-binary or gender fluid
Estimated Size: 1200000
- Many countries have introduced non-binary gender options on official documents.
- The bill aims to remove any possibility of a non-binary option on U.S. passports.
- As per surveys, an estimated 0.6% of U.S. adults identify as transgender, some of whom identify as non-binary.
- There may be additional individuals globally, particularly where passports are required for east-Asian and Indian global travelers.
- Non-binary and gender-fluid communities could be affected, limiting document accuracy and privacy.
Reasoning
- The budget of $10,000,000 USD in year 1 allows for potentially affecting a substantial number of people considering administrative and advocacy efforts such as producing informational materials and creating support systems.
- Given that an estimated 1.2 million adults in the U.S. identify as non-binary, the policy will moderately impact this group, though not all will require a passport.
- The policy may have an emotional and identity-based impact on those who are affected, altering their personal wellbeing scores.
- Considering the policy does not involve substantial infrastructure change, the budget primarily targets communication and legal frameworks.
Simulated Interviews
Graphic Designer (Brooklyn, NY)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have always been proud to use my passport that acknowledges my gender identity as non-binary.
- This policy seems like a step backward for inclusiveness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Financial Analyst (Austin, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel bad for my friends who identify as non-binary.
- I think restricting options isn't the right direction.
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 |
College Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 20 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy disregards the visibility we're trying to achieve for gender diversity.
- I'll continue to support advocacy groups.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Airline Pilot (Miami, FL)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy doesn't affect me directly.
- I believe in following guidelines as they are set.
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 |
Freelance Writer (Portland, OR)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's frustrating to see this policy pass. It feels like erasure.
- I'll keep advocating for a more inclusive future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
High School Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's hard seeing policies that seem to negate my students' identities.
- I try to be supportive in the community.
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 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Retired (Boston, MA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Government policies should respect everyone, but this doesn't affect me directly.
- I'm interested in how these changes pan out.
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 (Seattle, WA)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Birth certificates and IDs should respect my gender identity.
- I feel like I'm recognized less with these changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Lawyer (New York, NY)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy may set a precedent that impacts broader legal frameworks.
- I am concerned about what this implies legally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Artist (Santa Fe, NM)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Even if I don't need a passport now, the principle of the matter worries me.
- I fear this symbolizes the reduction of our visibility.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $4000000)
Year 3: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $4000000)
Year 5: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $4000000)
Year 10: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $2000000)
Year 100: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $2000000)
Key Considerations
- Updating passport systems to comply with new gender designation requirements.
- Addressing potential legal challenges from advocacy groups.
- Ensuring all international treaties and standards regarding passport recognition are not violated.