Bill Overview
Title: Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day Act of 2022
Description: This bill requests the President to issue an annual proclamation designating Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day. The bill also designates the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Flag as a symbol of the commitment of the United States to recognizing citizens held as hostages or wrongfully detained abroad.
Sponsors: Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]
Target Audience
Population: People who are US citizens and are or will be held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad
Estimated Size: 1000
- The bill's focus is on US citizens who are held hostage or wrongfully detained in foreign countries.
- This includes not just those currently detained but also potentially future cases of wrongful detention.
- The bill seeks to symbolically recognize and potentially support US citizens and their families in these situations.
- It may also impact international diplomacy concerning US citizens held abroad as governments may engage with the US regarding its stance.
Reasoning
- The bill is primarily symbolic, focusing on raising awareness and creating a designated day for recognition, thus direct impacts may be limited in the population.
- The cost of implementing this policy would likely involve administrative expenses, public communication, and the production of flags, which fits within the provided budget.
- The target population of 1000 is US citizens detained or at risk of detention abroad, but includes their families who are indirectly affected in terms of well-being.
- The symbolic nature of the policy might not change actual outcomes for hostages or detainees but could affect family morale and advocacy efforts.
- Very few people outside the target demographic are likely to be directly affected, though heightened awareness might resonate with a broader audience.
Simulated Interviews
Engineer (Virginia)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the recognition, but I wish more concrete actions were being made to secure my son's release.
- A designated day could help raise public awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Teacher (California)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a good symbolic gesture, but I don't feel directly impacted by it.
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 |
Retired diplomat (New York)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Awareness can lead to more informed policies, so this can be a positive step.
- Might not change situations on the ground but promotes solidarity.
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 |
Human rights lawyer (Texas)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's important to have more visibility and pressure from the public on these issues.
- This may help in leveraging negotiations, indirectly helping my advocacy work.
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 |
Student (Illinois)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The symbolism stands as a powerful statement of U.S. commitment.
- Practically, it doesn't change much for students like me.
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 |
Business owner (Florida)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a positive step that was long overdue to support families.
- I'm grateful for the recognition, even if delayed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 3 |
Activist (Oregon)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The flag could symbolize renewed efforts, providing a morale boost for more advocacy.
- It aids collective efforts in boosting awareness.
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 | 4 | 5 |
Journalist (Ohio)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This Act provides a narrative for stories that might influence policy-makers.
- As a journalist, it enriches stories but doesn't affect my personal life.
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 |
State Department employee (Washington)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's encouraging to see policy acknowledgment but may add to already heavy workloads.
- Symbolically powerful but practically minimal.
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 |
Graduate student (New Mexico)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This shows a strong stance on US diplomatic values, potentially beneficial for my research.
- No personal impact but valuable as a topic.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Key Considerations
- The symbolic nature of the bill suggests limited financial and economic impacts aside from modest flag production and distribution expenses.
- Direct benefits in the form of heightened morale and support for families of detainees could result, impacting governmental public perception positively.
- The annual issuance of a presidential proclamation may involve some legal and administrative overhead.