Bill Overview
Title: United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2022
Description: This act reauthorizes the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom through FY2024. The commission is an independent federal commission that monitors international religious freedom violations and makes policy recommendations.
Sponsors: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Target Audience
Population: People living in regions with significant religious freedom issues
Estimated Size: 50000
- The commission focuses on international religious freedoms, not solely on the United States.
- Individuals in countries with significant religious freedom issues will be directly impacted.
- The commission's work could indirectly affect any individual whose country is assessed by the commission.
- Countries identified by the commission for religious freedom violations or improvements may see policy impacts that affect religious individuals and groups.
Reasoning
- The commission's budget and influence will largely be directed towards advocacy and reporting, so direct impacts on individuals' lives might be limited within the US.
- Indirect effects may manifest through American involvement in religious freedom advocacy or international religious organizations.
- Given the limited US-based direct impact, many individuals will report minimal or no change in wellbeing scores due to this policy.
Simulated Interviews
Policy Analyst (Washington D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This reauthorization is crucial for ongoing international monitoring and advocacy.
- The continuation of the commission supports a global cause that I care about.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Academic Researcher (California)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The reauthorization supports necessary research opportunities and collaborations.
- It sustains attention on international religious matters which I value academically.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Pastor (Texas)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The commission's work is pivotal for international religious dialogue and safety.
- The reauthorization supports our global mission and partners.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Student (New York)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic about the policy as it aligns with my career interests.
- It ensures continuity in studying critical global issues, like religious freedoms.
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 | 6 | 5 |
Business Executive (Illinois)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy doesn't impact me directly but offers peace of mind about international matters.
- My family is indirectly impacted via humanitarian efforts overseas.
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 |
Teacher (Oregon)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The reauthorization aids in educational resource availability for my global studies curriculum.
- It reflects US commitment to international religious freedom, which I support.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Journalist (Florida)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy ensures that I have a continued feed of reliable information for my reporting.
- Reauthorization signifies international focus on critical freedoms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
International Lawyer (Virginia)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The commission's continued operation assists with legal frameworks and advisory services.
- It remains critical in representing US interests in religious freedom.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired (New Mexico)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although I'm retired, the policy reassures me that the work I was involved in continues to have global support.
- Its impact is more emotional than practical at this stage of my life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Nonprofit Director (Ohio)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This reauthorization helps keep religious freedom on the international policy agenda which is critical for our work.
- My organization benefits indirectly through the awareness and support generated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $4000000 (Low: $3500000, High: $4500000)
Year 2: $4200000 (Low: $3700000, High: $4700000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- USCIRF's funding has historically been stable, reflecting bipartisan support for its mission.
- The commission plays a role in providing policy recommendations and highlighting religious freedom violations globally.
- The cost is relatively small compared to the overall federal budget.