Bill Overview
Title: Leave No Americans Behind Act of 2022
Description: This bill eliminates the Department of State's repatriation loan program. The program currently authorizes the State Department to loan funds to private U.S. citizens and third-country nationals for emergency evacuation from foreign countries where their lives are endangered by war, civil unrest, or natural disasters, rather than expending appropriated funds.
Sponsors: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12]
Target Audience
Population: People who are U.S. citizens or dual citizens abroad needing emergency evacuation
Estimated Size: 50000
- The repatriation loan program is available to dual nationals, meaning both U.S. and third-country nation individuals can use it.
- The program is specifically designed for private U.S. citizens in emergency situations abroad.
- Civil unrest, war, and natural disasters occur in various regions around the world, affecting numerous individuals of American citizenship abroad.
Reasoning
- The policy's elimination of the repatriation loan program primarily impacts U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad who find themselves in emergency situations.
- Given the zero budget for the policy, there will be no funds to assist those needing evacuation should emergencies occur.
- The lack of financial assistance will likely increase stress and decrease the sense of security for citizens in high-risk areas.
- While not all U.S. citizens abroad will be directly affected, those who frequently travel to volatile regions or have already faced emergencies in the past may feel a greater impact.
- Some individuals within the U.S. who have family members abroad may also be indirectly affected as they may bear the financial burden of repatriation costs.
Simulated Interviews
Business Executive (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I used to feel that if something went wrong while traveling, I'd have the U.S. government's backing.
- Now, I'm reconsidering travel to certain regions due to the lack of support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 8 |
Freelance Journalist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy adds another layer of risk when I'm in dangerous areas.
- I'll need to arrange private insurance or contingency plans which can be costly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 7 |
Humanitarian Aid Worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Without the loan program, missions will be harder, possibly riskier.
- Our organization will have to budget for emergency evacuations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 7 |
Student (San Diego, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I didn't think much about evacuation before, but now it's a concern.
- I’ll have to ensure I carry sufficient emergency funds.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about my son. I might have to help him financially if he needs to come home in an emergency.
- The policy puts more stress on families back in the U.S.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Tech Consultant (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I don't often travel to high-risk areas, knowing the back-up was there was reassuring.
- I'll have to evaluate each trip more carefully now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
High School Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My parents are worried about me going abroad without safety nets like the loan program.
- It may affect my decision on where to travel for the gap year.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Government Contractor (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My role usually guarantees some protection, but personal travel may be at risk without this program.
- This change adds to my logistic planning burden.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Academic Researcher (Boston, MA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I may need to cut down on my field research due to lacking emergency support.
- It's a significant constraint on my work and safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Airline Pilot (Seattle, WA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- For pilots, personal safety measures are always critical.
- The program's removal forces us to rely more heavily on company protocols.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
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 primary financial impact involves administrative and loan cost savings.
- Potential negative repercussions may include increased demand on military or state resources for evacuation efforts without the loan program.
- Public perception and the response from U.S. citizens abroad regarding their safety if the program is eliminated.