Bill Overview
Title: To prohibit the use of funds to provide United States military support for the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill prohibits the Department of Defense from using funds to provide specified support to the Saudi-led coalition operations against the Houthis in Yemen.
Sponsors: Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]
Target Audience
Population: People living in Yemen
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen has been ongoing since 2015, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis.
- The conflict has resulted in a high civilian toll, with thousands killed and millions displaced.
- Yemen has a total population of approximately 30 million people, many of whom are impacted by the conflict either directly or indirectly.
- The legislation aims to cut U.S. military support, which could impact the conflict dynamics and civilian safety.
Reasoning
- The budget and scope imply the policy aims to reduce U.S. involvement without significantly increasing direct financial burden on domestic support programs.
- Given the targeted population of 5 million American citizens, the majority might not feel a direct impact, as they are not in the immediate scope of the conflict.
- The most affected groups are likely those with family ties to Yemen or those financially connected to the defense industry supplying military support to the coalition.
- It's important to consider that although the humanitarian impact is substantial in Yemen, the direct impact on U.S. soil and citizens may be minimal, with emotional and economic ripple effects felt more broadly.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Dearborn, Michigan)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am relieved that the U.S. is finally taking a stand to stop fueling this destructive conflict.
- The people in Yemen have suffered enough, and any reduction in military activities is a step toward peace.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Defense contractor (Arlington, Virginia)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about potential job losses in the defense sector, including my own.
- While I understand the humanitarian reasons, this also affects American workers.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired (San Francisco, California)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel it's about time we stopped engaging in conflicts that don't directly affect us.
- Military actions should always consider humanitarian consequences first.
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 |
NGO worker (New York City, New York)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this shift in policy can lead to more focus on humanitarian support.
- We need to prioritize the lives of the civilians over military expenditures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Software Developer (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reducing U.S. military involvement might reduce violence in Yemen.
- I'm hopeful this will cause a shift towards more peaceful negotiations.
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 |
Homemaker (Houston, Texas)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about our family's financial stability if my husband loses his job.
- While I understand the need to prioritize human lives, I'm anxious about immediate impacts on American livelihoods.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Business Owner (Orlando, Florida)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My business depends on stable political conditions in the Middle-East.
- A decrease in U.S. military involvement might increase risks of disruptions.
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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
College Student (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a step in the right direction toward ethical foreign policy.
- I hope it leads to more peace-oriented decisions in the future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Consultant (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There might be strategic implications in reducing support, impacting regional balance.
- However, humanitarian priorities should take precedence.
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 |
Journalist (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could redirect resources towards alleviating civilian distress leading to positive impacts.
- Ending military involvement in the region may offer new hope for peace talks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 3: $100000000 (Low: $75000000, High: $150000000)
Year 5: $50000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $75000000)
Year 10: $50000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $75000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $75000000)
Key Considerations
- Political implications of reducing military engagement in the Middle East.
- Effect on defense contractors and related industries.
- Impact on humanitarian conditions in Yemen due to conflict dynamics.