Bill Overview
Title: HARM Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of State to designate the PMC Wagner Group as a foreign terrorist organization. Such designation also applies to any affiliated and successor entities undertaking malign activities against the United States and its allies or partners. (Among other things, such a designation allows the Department of the Treasury to require financial institutions to block transactions involving the organization.) The President may waive the application of sanctions against these entities if the President determines it to be in the national interest.
Sponsors: Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals involved with or affected by the PMC Wagner Group's activities worldwide.
Estimated Size: 50000
- The bill targets the PMC Wagner Group, a known Russian paramilitary organization, and similar entities.
- The designation as a foreign terrorist organization impacts the financial operations of these groups worldwide.
- It also impacts regions where these groups are active, including parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
- Blocking financial transactions affects entities and individuals with ties to the Wagner Group globally, including their clients and collaborators.
- The bill impacts financial institutions that deal with international transactions related to these entities.
Reasoning
- A limited number of individuals within the U.S. are directly impacted by this policy, primarily those in the banking sector and those involved in international finance or security policies.
- The policy indirectly ties to national security, affecting well-being for citizens concerned about threats from foreign entities.
- Financial institutions and their employees may face additional compliance costs, impacting economic aspects of policy implementation.
- For individuals whose work involves interactions with regions where the PMC Wagner Group is operational, there could be significant impacts on their occupational security and mobility.
Simulated Interviews
Bank compliance officer (New York City, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy adds to our compliance workload, but it's crucial for maintaining security.
- Financial institutions must be accountable in preventing funds from reaching terrorist organizations.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Foreign policy analyst (Washington, DC)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's important to curb the influence of private military groups operating outside international law.
- The policy reinforces U.S. commitment to international order.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Oil industry executive (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Designation of Wagner Group highlights the geopolitical risks we constantly navigate.
- The policy might protect our interests by limiting antagonistic operations in critical regions.
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 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
International lawyer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new designation is a significant development impacting our legal consultation services.
- It could increase litigation as firms decipher compliance requirements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Small business owner (Miami, FL)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these can have ripple effects on small businesses like mine.
- Blocking transactions might lead to new trade barriers, affecting sales.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Retired military officer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Ensuring such organizations are designated appropriately is critical for national security.
- The policy might give veterans confidence in the nation's protective measures.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Graduate student (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy provides a real-world case study of economic sanctions in action.
- It's fascinating to see theory applied in real international situations.
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 |
Economics professor (Boston, MA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a perfect teaching tool for illustrating how sanctions can alter markets.
- It adds dimensions to our understanding of economic diplomacy.
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 company executive (Seattle, WA)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these create demand for secure compliance technologies.
- It's an opportunity for growth in tech solutions for financial security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Human rights activist (Dallas, TX)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The HARM Act represents progress in holding paramilitary groups accountable for their actions.
- This policy aligns with global movements for peace and human rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 3: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The designation increases the U.S. government's ability to curb financial transactions linked to terrorist activities.
- International cooperation and diplomatic efforts will be vital to implementing and enforcing these sanctions effectively.
- Potential pushback from affected foreign entities and political ramifications should be considered.