Bill Overview
Title: Department of State Authorization Act of 2022
Description: This bill reauthorizes various activities of the Department of State through FY2023 and otherwise addresses matters related to the State Department.
Sponsors: Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals impacted by changes in Department of State operations
Estimated Size: 334000000
- The Department of State generally handles U.S. foreign affairs, which means their activities may impact both U.S. citizens, especially those living abroad, and foreign nations with which the U.S. has diplomatic relations.
- The operations and effectiveness of U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide could be affected, impacting U.S. citizens requiring consular services.
- Foreign entities and nationals interacting with U.S. diplomatic missions would be indirectly affected by changes in State Department operations.
Reasoning
- The Department of State primarily affects U.S. citizens living abroad and individuals who require consular services. Therefore, Americans who have direct interactions with U.S. embassies or consulates may see the most immediate impact, whether positive or negative, on their wellbeing.
- The general U.S. populace may be indirectly impacted through shifts in international relations, potentially affecting national security or economic opportunities.
- Seasoned travelers, international businesspersons, and foreign nationals dealing with U.S. diplomatic missions might notice changes based on Department operations.
- Given the vast scope of the Department of State's roles, only a small percentage of the U.S. population will be directly impacted. Most citizens will likely experience indirect effects if at all.
Simulated Interviews
Tech Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 46 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I expect enhanced services at embassies might make my international travels smoother and safer.
- Better foreign relations often mean more business opportunities for companies like mine.
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 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Military (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More effective diplomatic actions can strengthen U.S. international standing.
- Consular support improvements are always beneficial, especially for Americans in global crises.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Consular Officer (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Successful policy implementation can lead to better resources and support for consular services.
- Improving embassy operations can directly affect my job performance and satisfaction.
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 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A higher budget usually enables better diplomatic effort and negotiation scope, enhancing national security.
- I'm optimistic about the systemic improvements this could bring.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Oil Executive (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- International diplomacy's stability impacts global oil markets, which is crucial for my business.
- Stronger diplomatic ties often facilitate smoother international deals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Potential improvements in consular services could make my study abroad experience smoother.
- If diplomatic relations with France improve, it might enhance my time there.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
International Relations Professor (Chicago, IL)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm curious if the increased budget will effectively improve diplomatic staffing and initiatives globally.
- More resources should ideally result in better public diplomacy outcomes.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Software Engineer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Enhanced U.S. diplomatic presence in Asia could lead to better business opportunities and fewer bureaucratic hurdles.
- Consular service improvements help during travel.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Journalist (Boston, MA)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- International policies determined by the State Department affect my work closely.
- I anticipate better news flow and access with improved diplomatic engagement.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired (Dallas, TX)
Age: 68 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved embassy operations mean better assistance for Americans abroad, which is reassuring.
- I'm hopeful it leads to quicker response times in emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $13250000000 (Low: $12800000000, High: $13700000000)
Year 2: $13500000000 (Low: $13020000000, High: $14000000000)
Year 3: $13800000000 (Low: $13250000000, High: $14350000000)
Year 5: $14200000000 (Low: $13600000000, High: $14900000000)
Year 10: $15000000000 (Low: $14300000000, High: $15700000000)
Year 100: $21000000000 (Low: $20000000000, High: $22000000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill chiefly maintains existing funding levels, implying predictable economic impacts with potential economic growth via better foreign relations.
- Given potential global uncertainties, affecting geopolitical scenarios could necessitate unforeseen budgetary allocations.