Bill Overview
Title: On the Clock Act
Description: This bill prohibits Members of Congress from soliciting campaign funds while the chamber of Congress in which the Member serves is in session (other than a pro forma session).
Sponsors: Rep. Phillips, Dean [D-MN-3]
Target Audience
Population: All voters globally in countries with democratically elected legislative bodies
Estimated Size: 255000000
- The bill affects Members of Congress directly by dictating their actions in relation to campaign funding while Congress is in session.
- Campaign fundraising is a critical part of political elections and many voters are influenced by campaigns.
- Members of Congress influence and represent the interests of their constituents, a significant number of the American population.
- Transparency and integrity in how and when campaign funds are solicited can affect public trust in elected officials.
Reasoning
- While the On the Clock Act directly places restrictions on Members of Congress, its broader impacts are on public trust and perceptions of the integrity of their representatives, which can indirectly affect the voting population.
- With a focus on increasing transparency in political funding practices, voter confidence and engagement might improve, though not directly observable in tangibly immediate ways.
- Public perception of campaign finance practices can influence voter turnout and the broader democratic process.
- However, the immediate well-being impact for everyday citizens can be minimal since the policy primarily affects political campaign operations and not direct economic or social factors.
Simulated Interviews
High School Teacher (Austin, Texas)
Age: 46 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's a positive step towards transparency.
- Congress should focus on their duties and not fundraising.
- I hope this reduces the influence of money in politics.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Nashville, Tennessee)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not sure this will change much in reality.
- Politicians often find ways around these rules.
- What's really needed is a reform in how campaigns are funded overall.
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 |
Tech Start-up Founder (San Francisco, California)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Limiting Congress members from fundraising while in session is logical.
- It's not drastic change but perhaps a push for better priorities.
- Ultimately, I don't expect immediate visible changes.
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 (Columbus, Ohio)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This can be a small step towards reducing undue influence in Congress.
- Wish for more significant reform.
- Hoping this can boost turnout by increasing trust.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Automobile Mechanic (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Don't care much about what Congress members do when in session.
- I focus more on local policies that affect my job.
- It would have been better to see economic policies that provide job security.
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 |
Healthcare Worker (Miami, Florida)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I want Congress to focus more on healthcare legislation.
- This seems far removed from the issues I face daily.
- Maybe Congress will pay more attention to actual work rather than fundraising.
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 |
College Professor (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is not enough but it's a step in the right direction.
- Members of Congress should focus on legislative duties, not fundraising.
- Hopeful this reduces corporate influence a bit in politics.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Farm Owner (Des Moines, Iowa)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Federal changes like these don't often impact my daily life.
- Congress should find better ways to handle campaign funding.
- I'm more concerned about trade policies and their effect on farming.
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 |
Software Developer (New York City, New York)
Age: 23 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is crucial, politicians should not be distracted by fundraising.
- Transparency is key to restoring youth trust in government.
- The changes are necessary but just a start.
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 | 8 | 5 |
Retired (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support anything that limits the influence of money in politics.
- Keep representatives focused on serving their constituents.
- I wish such steps came sooner. Without changes, trust erodes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Key Considerations
- The proposed bill affects the political process without direct economic interventions.
- Cost estimates include potential oversight or administrative enforcement expenses.
- Potential savings stem from reduced focus on continual fund-raising, possibly increasing legislative efficiency.