Bill Overview
Title: Stop Transnational Repression Act
Description: This bill establishes a new criminal offense related to transnational repression (e.g., activities of foreign governments to harass, intimidate, or coerce individuals in the United States).
Sponsors: Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals targeted by foreign governments for transnational repression
Estimated Size: 100000
- Transnational repression often targets individuals who are dissidents, activists, or critics of a foreign government, either residing abroad or in exile.
- Such activities usually target individuals from minority groups, ethnic or political refugees, or diaspora communities.
- Globally, there are millions of people in exile or living abroad who may be dissidents or critics of their home governments, thus falling under this bill's protective scope.
Reasoning
- The policy targets about 100,000 individuals in the U.S. who are subject to transnational repression, setting limits to the number of people directly impacted.
- The Cantril wellbeing scores will vary depending on how closely the policy aligns with people's experiences; those directly affected by the repression may see significant improvements.
- The budget restrictions necessitate that the policy implementation focuses on critical cases where impact would be most felt, which also influences the distribution of perceived impact among the population.
- A mix of people within and outside of the targeted group will showcase diverse opinions and the varying levels of impact, with some experiencing none due to being outside the direct scope of the policy.
- The Cantril well-being scale, ranging from 0 to 10, helps quantify subjective well-being, with potential for the policy to improve scores significantly for those directly affected.
Simulated Interviews
Journalist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy gives me a sense of security from the threats I've been facing.
- It would make it easier to continue my work without fear.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Human rights activist (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Protecting activists in the U.S. could have global repercussions against authoritarianism.
- I feel this would embolden me to expand my advocacy efforts.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
University professor (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There is a persistent worry about government agents targeting us.
- An official stance from the U.S. could alleviate these fears.
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 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Software engineer (Houston, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it addresses important issues, though it doesn't directly impact me.
- I feel safer even if I'm not dissident; we all benefit when human rights are upheld.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finally, there will be recognition of our plight.
- Though retired, many in my community still face these threats.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Artist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This sounds important for those at risk, but it's not something I think about much.
- I believe it contributes to a safer, more just society.
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 |
Tech startup founder (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My family's safety could be better secured with this law in place.
- It's a relief to know the U.S. is taking steps against such intimidation.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Policy analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy strengthens our national stance on human rights, which is a significant positive.
- While it doesn't affect me directly, the issues it addresses are crucial.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Small business owner (Newark, NJ)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've lived with the fear that foreign agents might cause trouble here.
- Knowing my family is protected is a huge relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Research scientist (Boston, MA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My family's been worried about possible confrontations or threats.
- This policy is a big step forward in preventing that.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $260000000 (Low: $210000000, High: $310000000)
Year 3: $270000000 (Low: $220000000, High: $320000000)
Year 5: $290000000 (Low: $240000000, High: $340000000)
Year 10: $350000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $400000000)
Year 100: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill aims to protect civil liberties and human rights, which aligns with broader U.S. interests in international human rights protection.
- Given the potential scope of the affected population, significant resources may be needed for effective implementation.