Bill Overview
Title: INVESTIGAR Act
Description: This bill requires the President to, no later than 14 days after reaching an agreement with Iran regarding Iran's nuclear program, report to Congress describing the possible benefits that will accrue to the regime of Nicolas Maduro as a result of the agreement. (Maduro is the president of Venezuela whose reelection in 2018 is widely condemned, including by the United States, as fraudulent.) The President must update the report every 180 days.
Sponsors: Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27]
Target Audience
Population: People in Iran and Venezuela, and entities involved in international agreements and sanctions
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill targets U.S. citizens as it involves a report to the U.S. Congress and is part of the U.S. legislative process.
- U.S. foreign policy and international agreements can indirectly impact global populations, especially those in Iran and Venezuela.
- People in Iran and Venezuela could be affected by sanctions or policy shifts resulting from or associated with U.S. agreements.
- The INVESTIGAR Act addresses international relations, potentially influencing economic conditions and governance structures in Venezuela.
Reasoning
- The INVESTIGAR Act primarily influences U.S. citizens concerned with international policy, government accountability, and transparency. Citizens who actively follow international relations, especially concerning Iran and Venezuela, are more likely to feel the impact of this policy.
- Given the size of the budget and the primarily informational nature of the policy, direct impacts on Cantril wellbeing scores among the general population may be minimal. However, those directly involved in or who have vested interests in foreign policy or related academic fields may be more affected.
- Impact durations will likely vary. Initial impacts could be felt as early as Year 1 with discussions and analysis following the release of the reports. Ongoing updates every 180 days could sustain medium-level impacts for interested parties over a longer term.
Simulated Interviews
Foreign Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could provide valuable insights into U.S. foreign relations strategies, especially concerning Venezuela.
- It helps hold leaders accountable which is crucial for strategic transparency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired, formerly an Oil Industry Executive (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Understanding implications of international agreements is vital for protecting investments in volatile regions like Venezuela.
- The policy is a small step towards greater accountability which is needed in foreign policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Graduate Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While this policy is more indirect, insights into how U.S. policies shift international dynamics are useful academically.
- It won't have a direct change on my day-to-day life but contributes to my academic pursuits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Energy Sector Analyst (Houston, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any added information on US-Venezuelan policy impacts energy discussions significantly.
- The periodic updates can alter market movement analyses, providing stability in an often volatile sector.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Human Rights Activist (New York, NY)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Transparency measures are always beneficial and help advocate more effectively for those under oppressive regimes.
- While beneficial, more tangible actions alongside accountability are necessary.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Software Engineer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see how this policy will directly impact my work or life.
- Seems to be more for those involved in politics or international trade.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Journalist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy provides more material and key insights for reporting.
- Greater transparency can lead to higher trust in governmental processes.
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 | 6 |
Retired Government Employee (Dallas, TX)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having analyzed foreign relations, I see policies like these as essential for strategic insight.
- There's a need for continuous updates to better prepare domestic responses to international developments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Tech Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This report may affect energy policy decisions that impact my business sector.
- Greater transparency can influence investment climates positively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
PhD Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 26 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having clear reports could provide another dimension to my research.
- Can help contribute to wider academic discourse on sanctions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $5000000)
Year 2: $3500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $5000000)
Year 3: $3500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $5000000)
Year 5: $3500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $5000000)
Year 10: $3500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $5000000)
Year 100: $3500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $5000000)
Key Considerations
- The sustained cost of monitoring, revising, and delivering detailed reports every 180 days.
- Potential geopolitical impacts stemming from the insights of the report could alter U.S./Venezuelan and U.S./Iranian relations.
- Ongoing administrative load on existing government staff to adhere to reporting requirements.