Bill Overview
Title: A bill to obtain and direct the placement in the Capitol or on the Capitol Grounds of a statue to honor Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Sandra Day O'Connor and a statue to honor Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Description: This bill requires the Joint Committee on the Library to obtain, and the Architect of the Capitol to permanently install in the U.S. Capitol or on the U.S. Capitol Grounds, statues honoring Associate Justices of the Supreme Court Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Sponsors: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Target Audience
Population: People visiting U.S. Capitol or interested in judicial and gender equality history
Estimated Size: 3000000
- The bill affects people who visit the U.S. Capitol or the Capitol Grounds because the statues will be a part of the cultural and historical landscape.
- The bill honors Associate Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, two influential figures in U.S. legal history.
- The presence of the statues may impact tourists, students, historians, and educators who engage with the U.S. Capitol as an educational resource or landmark.
- This bill may impact citizens who view monumental recognition of figures in women's rights and legal history as a reflection of societal values.
- The bill has symbolic importance which can influence advocates for gender equality and legal historians.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily affects individuals who visit the Capitol, thus its direct impact is geographic and interest-bound.
- The statues' installation symbolizes progress in gender equality and acknowledges significant contributions by female justices, potentially affecting the public's perception of justice and gender roles.
- Given the target population size, the impact is likely limited in terms of direct well-being changes but may have a slight positive effect on societal values.
- With a budget of $3,000,000 in the first year and $3,450,000 over ten years, significant changes in individual well-being at a large scale are unlikely; however, the cultural and educational benefits are notable.
- Some individuals will experience a sense of pride and validation that reflects on their Cantril Wellbeing, especially those involved in legal, educational, or advocacy fields related to gender equality.
Simulated Interviews
Tour Guide (Washington D.C.)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The addition of the statues is a great move towards recognizing influential figures.
- It makes my job more enriching as I have more to share with the visitors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
History Student (California)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's inspiring to see these justices being honored in this way.
- It doesn't change my everyday life, but it's important culturally.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Lawyer (New York)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a step in the right direction for representation.
- I'm thrilled to see women in law being recognized at such a prominent place.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Security Officer at U.S. Capitol (Virginia)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see many visitors curious about the additions.
- It doesn't affect my duties, but it's good for public interest.
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 |
Retired Teacher (Florida)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Happy to see what I taught being underscored through these statues.
- It’s nice to see long-overdue recognitions.
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 |
Social Worker (Texas)
Age: 41 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It reflects the societal shift towards gender equality.
- I'll use this example in discussions on progress in our society.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Policy Analyst (Washington D.C.)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative will enhance cultural heritage at the Capitol.
- It's a symbolic victory for women in law.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
High School History Teacher (Michigan)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Planning field trips to see the new statues sounds promising.
- Great teaching opportunity about the role of women in shaping policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
College Student (Ohio)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Represents my field of study in real-world applications.
- A positive change in recognizing influential women.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Educator at U.S. Capitol Visitor Center (Washington D.C.)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Eases my task to highlight historical achievements in tours.
- Statues add value to the stories we share with young visitors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 2: $50000 (Low: $40000, High: $60000)
Year 3: $50000 (Low: $40000, High: $60000)
Year 5: $50000 (Low: $40000, High: $60000)
Year 10: $50000 (Low: $40000, High: $60000)
Year 100: $50000 (Low: $40000, High: $60000)
Key Considerations
- The symbolism and recognition afforded by the statues can have cultural impact beyond economic measurement.
- The presence of these statues may slightly boost touristic attraction to the Capitol, though not at a scale relevant for budgetary adjustments.
- The project supports arts and culture, thereby potentially enriching educational narratives alongside American history curricula.