Bill Overview
Title: United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2022
Description: This bill reauthorizes the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom through FY2024.
Sponsors: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals facing religious discrimination or oppression globally
Estimated Size: 50000
- The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission that monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad.
- Individuals whose religious freedoms are oppressed internationally may see changes in U.S. policy attention due to the reauthorized USCIRF.
- Governments and organizations involved in international religious freedom may be impacted as USCIRF advises the President, Congress, and the State Department on these matters.
- The reauthorization extends the existing framework rather than introduces new provisions, thus the population potentially impacted remains consistent with past activities.
Reasoning
- The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom primarily affects individuals and organizations involved in advocacy and policy making on religious freedoms globally.
- Since it is a reauthorization with no new provisions, individuals not previously engaged or impacted by the commission's work are unlikely to feel any change.
- The main budgetary concern is ensuring ongoing operations without expansion. With finite resources, mainly those already in touch with USCIRF activities will feel the impact.
- Direct impact on U.S. citizens may be limited to those actively working in the fields related to and benefiting from the commission's reports and recommendations.
Simulated Interviews
Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The reauthorization ensures continued focus on international religious freedom issues, which is crucial for our work.
- It helps maintain U.S. diplomatic pressure on regimes that oppress religious freedoms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Human Rights Lawyer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reauthorization is necessary but not sufficient; we need more proactive policies.
- Having a body like the USCIRF provides legitimacy and information beneficial to my cases.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
University Professor (New York, NY)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The USCIRF's work influences academic analysis of U.S. international policies.
- Continued operation helps in educating future diplomats and policymakers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Journalist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reauthorization keeps crucial reports and data accessible for my work.
- It supports accountability by providing evidence of ongoing human rights abuses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Priest (Charlotte, NC)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Maintaining the USCIRF allows for continuity in our advocacy work.
- It ensures that issues important to us remain on the U.S. agenda.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Retired School Teacher (Houston, TX)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The USCIRF's work is important, though my involvement is indirect.
- Any action supporting religious freedom abroad is positive in my view.
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 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
State Department Official (Boston, MA)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The reauthorization is a critical aspect of our diplomatic toolkit.
- We rely on the USCIRF for guidance on international religious issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Community Organizer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 46 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- USCIRF's backing helps legitimize community advocacy efforts.
- Reauthorization keeps international religious oppression on our radar.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Tech Entrepreneur (Seattle, WA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The USCIRF's operations don't directly affect my industry.
- However, supporting rights around the world aligns with corporate values.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
College Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The USCIRF is a case study in my classes, reauthorization helps continuity in learning.
- It emphasizes the importance of American leadership in human rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $4500000 (Low: $4000000, High: $5000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The reauthorization ensures the continued monitoring and advisory role of USCIRF without increasing costs.
- The policy's direct financial implications are minimal given USCIRF's steady budget history.
- The legislative intent focuses on maintaining international religious freedom advocacy without financial expansion.