Bill Overview
Title: Department of Defense Civilian Harm Transparency Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to designate a senior official to serve as the civilian harm investigation coordinator to conduct a review of each investigation of civilian harm and assess whether applicable laws, policies, guidelines, and processes were followed during the investigations. DOD must also appoint a general counsel to assist the coordinator with such duties. The coordinator must annually submit to Congress a report on civilian harm resulting from U.S. military operations during the preceding year. DOD must make publicly available in an electronic format a detailed list of all ex gratia payments (i.e., payments that are not legally required) and other payments in response to civilian harm paid by the United States. Some information may be excluded to ensure safety or privacy of payment recipients. DOD must provide specified information to Congress to certify the need for confidentiality. DOD must provide an easily accessible electronic method by which individuals may request ex gratia or other condolence payments.
Sponsors: Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]
Target Audience
Population: Civilians worldwide impacted by U.S. military operations
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The bill focuses on harm resulting from U.S. military operations globally.
- It targets civilian harm, which can occur in any country where the U.S. conducts military operations.
- The legislation will affect civilians in conflict zones who are harmed by U.S. military actions.
- It impacts those who might seek ex gratia payments for harm inflicted by U.S. military operations.
- Transparency requirements suggest global reach as U.S. military is involved worldwide.
- Civilians in regions like the Middle East, parts of Africa, or areas with U.S. military presence are particularly concerned.
Reasoning
- The bill targets transparency and accountability concerning civilian harm by U.S. military actions, which mainly impacts people outside the U.S. but has moral and policy implications inside the country.
- As the policy is about transparency and accountability for American military actions, U.S. citizens, especially those working in advocacy, law, and human rights, may see indirect impacts.
- People with ties to global conflict zones or U.S. operations might have affected relatives and thus hold a personal stake in such policies.
- Budget constraints mean compensation or investigative efforts will be limited, hence affecting a relatively small number of people significantly.
Simulated Interviews
Human rights lawyer (Washington, DC)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy is a step towards greater accountability.
- The transparency could lead to better public awareness and policy correction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Journalist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Transparency is crucial for informed public discussions.
- Better access to information may aid my work significantly.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired military officer (New York, NY)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There should be accountability, but also consideration of operational contexts.
- The policy could affect military morale and public perception.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 3 |
Activist (Detroit, MI)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could significantly aid those affected by wars.
- Ex gratia payments and transparency can achieve some justice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Software engineer (Austin, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to data should enable better oversight and civic tech projects.
- Improved transparency might bolster trust in institutions.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Graduate student in international relations (Seattle, WA)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It is crucial for U.S. policy to set international standards.
- Transparency might lead to more ethical military conduct.
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 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired teacher (Boston, MA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies promoting justice can improve national and global relations.
- Cynical about real impact but hopeful.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
College student (Houston, TX)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act could inspire other nations to adopt similar transparency policies.
- Young people like me often feel disconnected from such decisions. Increased outreach is needed.
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 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Consultant (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There could be implications for the defense industry, potentially leading to more oversight and regulation.
- I am concerned about how this might impact ongoing operations and contracts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Economist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The bill could streamline resources to areas needing oversight.
- Financial transparency is crucial for both economic and ethical evaluation.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $25000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $25000000)
Year 3: $15500000 (Low: $10500000, High: $26000000)
Year 5: $16000000 (Low: $11000000, High: $26500000)
Year 10: $17000000 (Low: $11500000, High: $28000000)
Year 100: $25000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $40000000)
Key Considerations
- The requirement for public transparency could lead to increased political and social scrutiny of military operations.
- Establishing secure and accessible technology systems will be essential to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of reported data.
- Operationalizing the reporting and payment systems could reveal discrepancies in past handling of civilian harm.
- The bill could increase administrative burden but also enhance accountability within the Department of Defense.