Bill Overview
Title: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 400 Southern Avenue Southeast in Washington, District of Columbia, as the "District of Columbia Servicemembers and Veterans Post Office".
Description: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 400 Southern Avenue Southeast in Washington, District of Columbia, as the "District of Columbia Servicemembers and Veterans Post Office."
Sponsors: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: Servicemembers and Veterans in the District of Columbia
Estimated Size: 25000
- The bill pertains specifically to the designation of a postal facility, which means its impact is largely symbolic rather than functional.
- The renaming aims to honor servicemembers and veterans, which implies they are the primary symbolic beneficiaries of this designation.
- This is a local designation within the District of Columbia, affecting primarily the recognition and honor of servicemembers and veterans associated with or residing in DC.
Reasoning
- This policy is symbolic, mainly intended to honor DC-based servicemembers and veterans, with limited direct impact on general wellbeing metrics as measured by Cantril scores.
- The policy's primary significance is in its symbolic gesture, which may foster a sense of recognition among veterans and servicemembers; however, it doesn't provide direct economic or health benefits.
- The small budget suggests there are no additional services or programs being offered, reinforcing the primarily symbolic nature of the policy.
- The location specificity means that only veterans and servicemembers in or associated with Washington, DC are likely to notice or care about this change.
- Given the estimated population of around 25,000 servicemembers and veterans in DC, direct impacts (even symbolic ones) will not extend beyond this group.
Simulated Interviews
Veteran Affairs Coordinator (Washington, DC)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's nice to see some recognition given to us veterans. I believe this helps show appreciation from the community.
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 |
Retired (Washington, DC)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see it as a positive gesture. Even small recognitions like this can help in acknowledging our service.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Postal Worker (Silver Spring, MD)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don’t think it affects my job much, but I do appreciate the recognition it brings to veterans.
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 |
Social Worker (Arlington, VA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While it's a symbolic move, any acknowledgment can help our veterans feel a bit more valued.
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 |
Retired Army Colonel (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Naming a post office isn't a big change for me personally, but it could mean something positive to others in the community.
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 |
Graduate Student (Washington, DC)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's a nice homage but doesn't resolve bigger issues veterans face.
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 |
Veteran (Bethesda, MD)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognition is nice, but I'd like to see more support in terms of services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Veterans Support Clerk (Alexandria, VA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This doesn't directly influence my work or personal life, but it's a thoughtful gesture.
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 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Elementary School Teacher (Washington, DC)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's an important step toward recognizing our servicemembers, especially for our younger generation to learn about.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired (Fairfax, VA)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This designation is kind-hearted, but I wish it came with more practical benefits.
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 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000 (Low: $8000, High: $12000)
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 bill is mainly symbolic, with an emphasis on honoring servicemembers and veterans, rather than impacting federal finances.
- There could be minimal short-term costs concerning administrative tasks such as updating signs and official documentation.