Bill Overview
Title: Multilateral Aid Review Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes a U.S. Multilateral Aid Review to assess U.S. government investments in multilateral entities. The President must establish a U.S. Multilateral Aid Review Task Force, which must periodically report to Congress the review's findings. The task force must establish and report the methodology for the reviews, which must include assessments of (1) the relationship between such multilateral entities' stated goals and actual results, (2) the management practices and transparency of the entities, (3) the alignment between an entity's policies and practices with U.S. foreign policy objectives, and (4) whether U.S. goals may be better served by pursing a bilateral approach. The bill establishes a U.S. Multilateral Aid Review Peer Review Group, which must review the reports and provide feedback to the task force and to Congress.
Sponsors: Rep. Buck, Ken [R-CO-4]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals worldwide benefiting from U.S. multilateral aid programs
Estimated Size: 329500000
- The bill aims to review U.S. government investments in multilateral entities, which are organizations formed by three or more nations to work on issues pertinent to all the countries in them.
- Multilateral entities work on issues that often impact global populations, such as poverty, health, security, and the environment.
- Populations in developing countries, who receive assistance from multilateral organizations, may be impacted based on the outcomes of the review.
- The review could influence how the U.S. allocates funds to multilateral organizations, potentially affecting aid programs.
- Changes in funding or policy as a result of this bill could impact populations in recipient countries that benefit from U.S. multilateral aid.
- Adjustments in aid following the review could also impact global initiatives on issues like climate change, health, and education.
Reasoning
- The Multilateral Aid Review Act doesn't directly impact U.S. citizens in terms of personal financial assistance or direct benefits but could indirectly influence public opinion on foreign policy and national security.
- Any changes to funding allocations for multilateral organizations could impact global initiatives, which indirectly affect the U.S. through things like global security, environmental changes, and economic stability.
- The budget limitations suggest a scaling or prioritization in projects involving the bill and thereby influence how multilateral organizations adjust their operations, which could be perceived as improved efficiency.
- With a large estimated global population affected by the outcomes of the bill, the ripple effects on international stability can in turn impact U.S. citizens' wellbeing, although indirectly.
Simulated Interviews
High School Teacher (Columbus, Ohio)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's good for the U.S. to review where our aid money is going. It makes sure it's used effectively. Education on global issues is crucial, and if this leads to better global projects, I'm all for it.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Software Developer (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Efficient use of aid is important. If this review leads to smarter decisions, I support it. As long as no vital aid gets cut without a good reason just to save money.
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 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Non-profit Worker (New York, New York)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried that more bureaucracy means cuts. These reviews must be thorough but fair, supporting programs that truly work and benefiting countries in need.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Military (Austin, Texas)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A strong global presence is vital for national security. If this helps align aid with our interests, it's positive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Healthcare Administrator (Nashville, Tennessee)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Healthcare globally affects us too. This review should ensure funds improve global health, indirectly supporting our healthcare efforts as well.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Graduate Student (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see potential for this to improve information we have about multilateral efforts, assisting my research and understanding of international dynamics.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired Nurse (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 71 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this means better use of our taxes. Helping others globally often comes back to benefit us in unforeseen ways.
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 | 7 | 6 |
Environmental Scientist (Miami, Florida)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any review helping align environments' multilateral efforts with sensible U.S. contributions could be tremendously positive globally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Journalist (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The findings of such reviews can influence public opinion and policy development, providing critical data for those reporting on these issues.
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 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 52 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stability globally can influence markets here. Makes sense to review and ensure aid supports stable global trade.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 3: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 5: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Ensuring transparency and accountability in the Multilateral Aid Review process will be critical.
- Coordination with existing international and national assessment frameworks to avoid duplicity.
- Potential political implications based on review findings and recommendations influencing foreign aid strategies.