Bill Overview
Title: To amend the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act to authorize appropriations for catch-up payments from the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund.
Description: This bill authorizes and provides funding for lump-sum catch-up payments from the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund to 9/11 victims, 9/11 spouses, and 9/11 dependents.
Sponsors: Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
Target Audience
Population: 9/11 victims, spouses, and dependents
Estimated Size: 8500
- The bill specifically mentions 9/11 victims, 9/11 spouses, and 9/11 dependents as the groups affected.
- The 9/11 attacks resulted in thousands of casualties and affected individuals directly linked to the victims such as family members.
- Lump-sum catch-up payments are being specifically allocated to those who were previously eligible under the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund.
- The legislation is focused on making amends and providing financial restitution to affected parties.
Reasoning
- The policy targets a specific group of people who were directly affected by the 9/11 attacks. This includes victims, their spouses, and dependents.
- The total compensation fund is considerably high, suggesting significant payments to eligible individuals, which would likely improve their financial wellbeing.
- Since the fund is specifically for those linked to the 9/11 attacks, the general population is not affected unless they belong to this specific group.
- Many of the 9/11 victims' families might have already received some form of compensation, which might slightly moderate the additional increase in wellbeing from this fund.
- Demographically, this group is highly specific, likely including middle-aged individuals and possibly older dependents now, considering the passage of time since 2001.
- Most 9/11 affected individuals reside in or have ties to New York and can have varied occupations as some moved on to different careers post-9/11.
Simulated Interviews
retired (New York, NY)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The fund is a kind gesture that acknowledges what we've been through, though it can't replace our loss.
- It could help with medical bills and housing expenses that have been hard to cover in recent years.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Software Engineer (Newark, NJ)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This fund could really alleviate some of the financial pressures from my mother's healthcare costs.
- It feels good to know that the government hasn't forgotten us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Freelancer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am grateful for any additional support as things have been tough since my injury.
- These payments could ease my day-to-day stress.
- The fund is a great support for people like me dealing with long-term health impacts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 56 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It is good to have such distresses recognized after so many years.
- This fund can help secure college funds for my brother's widowed children.
- Better late than never; this is a step towards honoring memories.
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 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Retired (Arlington, VA)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The fund acknowledges what we lost in a meaningful way.
- It would help cover debts and unexpected expenses in retirement.
- No payment can fill the void left, but it's appreciated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 2 |
Marketing Specialist (Boston, MA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Navigating adulthood without a father has been difficult, financially more than anything.
- This would provide some help in building savings, possibly for buying a home.
- The fund feels like a supportive acknowledgment of our struggles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Student (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This fund means my college situation could improve without me taking on additional work.
- I hope this reaches more of us who lost parents.
- Financially helps, though the emotional loss remains.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Business Owner (Houston, TX)
Age: 48 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although I have managed well over the years, this fund could drive further investments into my nephew's future.
- It's a thoughtful and needed step.
- Helps remember those days, but also think constructively towards what’s next.
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 | 6 | 5 |
Consultant (Miami, FL)
Age: 51 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've rebuilt my life, but any extra support is appreciated.
- Helps with savings for eventual retirement or unexpected needs.
- We’ve often felt like secondary victims in the tragedy.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Nurse Retired (Manhattan, NY)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I wasn’t directly affected financially, but I still feel the emotional weight.
- It's a welcomed gesture but touches me more symbolically than anything.
- The fund is a token of remembrance for those left behind.
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 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $510000000 (Low: $410000000, High: $610000000)
Year 3: $520200000 (Low: $420000000, High: $620000000)
Year 5: $540808000 (Low: $435000000, High: $650000000)
Year 10: $580000000 (Low: $465000000, High: $700000000)
Year 100: $700000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $800000000)
Key Considerations
- The number of eligible recipients and their exact payout amounts are fundamental variables that determine the financial implications of this legislative change.
- Political and societal pressures could influence future funding levels or appropriation adjustments.
- Exchange rates and inflation could modestly affect the real value of presumptive payouts over the time span.