Bill Overview
Title: No PLA LOOPHOLES Act
Description: This bill increases restrictions on military-to-military exchanges or contacts between the U.S. Armed Forces and the Chinese military. Specifically, the bill expands an existing prohibition on exchanges or contacts that include inappropriate exposure to advanced logistical operations to cover logistical operations instead. Additionally, the bill eliminates an exception to the prohibited exchanges or contacts in the case of search and rescue or humanitarian operations or exercises.
Sponsors: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Target Audience
Population: Military personnel involved in U.S.-China military exchanges
Estimated Size: 12000
- The bill affects military interactions specifically between the U.S. Armed Forces and the Chinese military.
- The primary target population are military personnel involved in U.S.-China military exchanges and cooperative activities.
- The restriction will particularly impact those involved in logistical operations, search and rescue, and humanitarian activities related to these military interactions.
- There may be indirect effects on Chinese military personnel due to the limitations on joint activities and cooperation.
Reasoning
- Since the policy targets U.S. military personnel involved in U.S.-China exchanges, interviews included are predominantly from individuals involved in such activities.
- The budget constraint suggests a limited scope in terms of immediate large scale impact, focusing possibly on military bases or units heavily involved in exchanges.
- Interviews reflect a diversity within the military personnel involved, including logisticians and those involved in humanitarian and search and rescue operations.
- Costs involved seem minimal on an individual level but could scale up with retraining or operational changes that may be required.
- The target population size suggests limited direct contact with the extent of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Simulated Interviews
Logistician, U.S. Navy (California)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems to limit our cooperation with the Chinese military, which might cause some initial logistical headaches, but I understand the security concerns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Search and Rescue Specialist, U.S. Air Force (Texas)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The lack of collaboration with the Chinese on rescue operations is disappointing because we learned new techniques from each other. However, operational security is key.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Military Trainer, U.S. Army (Virginia)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might help refocus our operations internally, but losing direct insight into how the Chinese conduct their operations could pose long-term challenges.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Humanitarian Operations Coordinator, U.S. Army (Hawaii)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Working with the Chinese military was challenging but rewarding. It's unfortunate to close this channel, but I trust the reasons are valid.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Logistics Analyst, U.S. Marine Corps (Washington)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy short-term restricts insights into how the PLA operates, which is a downside for analysis, but it aligns with securing data vulnerabilities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 10 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 10 |
PR Liaison, U.S. Navy (New York)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Shifting narratives away from cooperation with China could make it harder to promote peaceability themes, but we must prioritize security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Senior Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of Defense (California)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Act is a necessary step to ensure our operations remain secure, even though it limits certain avenues of military diplomacy that have benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Military Logistics Coordinator, U.S. National Guard (Alaska)
Age: 46 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It will be tough to not collaborate with the Chinese military in Arctic conditions where they share similar challenges, but we must safeguard our expertise.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Search and Rescue Pilot, U.S. Coast Guard (Florida)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There's value in our operations with the Chinese, but this policy is a reminder to invest in strengthening internal capabilities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 10 |
Strategic Planner, U.S. Space Force (Colorado)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will restrict data flow from Chinese counterparts which can set back planning, though it aligns with overall security protocols.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $45000000)
Year 2: $30000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $45000000)
Year 3: $30000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $45000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The policy affects military readiness and international diplomatic relations, particularly with China.
- There may be indirect costs associated with diminished diplomatic ties and reduced potential for future cooperation with China.