Bill Overview
Title: Saudi Arabia December 6, 2019, Anti-Terror and Accountability Act
Description: This bill prohibits using federal funds to support Saudi Arabia's military actions in Yemen or to conduct military officer exchange programs with Saudi Arabia. The bill also adds authorization for a $10 million claim for each victim of the December 6, 2019, shooting at the Pensacola, Florida, Naval Air Station to the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund. The bill appropriates to the fund a specified amount from unobligated balances appropriated for security assistance for Ukraine in FY2023.
Sponsors: Rep. Gaetz, Matt [R-FL-1]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by Saudi Arabia's military actions in Yemen and U.S. persons directly impacted by the Pensacola shooting
Estimated Size: 1000
- The bill blocks federal funds for Saudi military actions in Yemen, potentially impacting those who would be directly subjected to or involved in these military operations.
- Yemeni civilians and military personnel could be affected as this may alter the course of military actions in Yemen.
- U.S. Servicemen or personnel who might have been part of the exchange program could feel impacts from missed opportunities or collaboration.
- Victims of the December 6, 2019, Pensacola shooting will directly benefit from the provisions offering financial compensation.
- Estimated thousands of Yemenis are affected by the Saudi-led coalition's military actions.
Reasoning
- The policy has two primary focuses: reducing military collaboration with Saudi Arabia and compensating victims of the Pensacola shooting. These elements will inform the impact on the U.S. population.
- Those directly impacted by the policy include military personnel who might lose opportunities for personal and professional growth due to the termination of exchange programs.
- Victims of the Pensacola shooting and their families will see a significant improvement in their financial situation, which can translate into an increase in their reported wellbeing.
- Military exchange programs typically impact a small number of individuals directly involved; thus, the overall impact may be moderate within the military community.
- The reallocation of security assistance funds for Ukraine to compensate the Pensacola victims may have negligible direct impact on the wider American public since it's unlikely to affect civilians not directly tied to these programs or incidents.
Simulated Interviews
U.S. Navy Officer (Florida)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The victim compensation aspect of the policy is a relief for many affected families.
- Concerned about the cessation of joint training programs as these were beneficial for career progression and international collaboration.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Civil Rights Advocate (California)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supports halting federal funds for Saudi military actions, viewing it as a step towards more ethical foreign policy.
- Believes the policy does not go far enough in terms of humanitarian aid for Yemen.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Civilian Contractor at Pensacola Naval Air Station (Alabama)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Feels a sense of justice from the compensation fund but believes other support measures are necessary, such as mental health services.
- Concerned the policy does not fully address larger systemic issues of gun control and military base vulnerabilities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Military Exchange Program Coordinator (Texas)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy directly impacts her job, leading to uncertainty about career prospects.
- Sees merit in reevaluating U.S. military relationships, but worries about personal job security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Retired Marine, father of Pensacola victim (Virginia)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Grateful for policy's financial compensation as it honors his son's memory.
- Frustrated that it took a legislative measure for victims' families to receive aid, highlighting systemic issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Peace Activist (New York)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supports the discontinuation of U.S. support for Saudi military in Yemen.
- Critiques the policy for not addressing humanitarian needs in Yemen more comprehensively.
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 |
Military Officer, previously stationed in Middle East (Georgia)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Believes the policy will improve accountability regarding overseas military actions.
- Worries about potential consequential risks to U.S.-Saudi military cooperation.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
University International Affairs Lecturer (Pennsylvania)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Sees the policy as a strategic realignment of U.S. military commitments abroad.
- Concerned this redirection could affect U.S.-Saudi relations in broader terms beyond military exchange.
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 |
Student, sibling of Pensacola shooting victim (Florida)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The financial aid aspect is a crucial relief for her family, who are still recovering.
- Feeling hopeful but acknowledges that long-term healing requires more than financial support.
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 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Congressional Aide in Foreign Affairs (Washington D.C.)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Views the policy as a positive step towards controlling foreign military expenditures.
- Recognizes potential diplomatic challenges the policy could pose internationally, particularly with U.S.-Saudi relations.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 3: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 5: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 10: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 100: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Key Considerations
- Reallocation of funds needed to address the $10 million claims per victim from the Pensacola attack.
- Potential for diplomatic fallout or strategic realignment concerns due to ceasing military support and programs with Saudi Arabia.
- Administrative impacts on handling of claims from victims' families.
- Consequences for continued U.S. military cooperation and exchange initiatives.