Bill Overview
Title: Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 2022
Description: This bill modifies various requirements pertaining to the security of U.S. diplomatic facilities. For example, each U.S. diplomatic mission must have an emergency action plan that addresses a range of threats. Currently, the plan is only required by statute to address the threat of large explosive attacks from vehicles.
Sponsors: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals working at or utilizing services of U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide
Estimated Size: 16000
- The bill pertains to U.S. diplomatic missions, which includes embassies and consulates worldwide.
- There are over 270 embassies and consulates run by the United States worldwide.
- These facilities employ a mix of American and local staff.
- Each diplomatic mission does not only serve American citizens but also local citizens who need to engage with the mission for various visa and cultural matters.
Reasoning
- Considering the policy affects U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide, it impacts both American and local employees at these facilities as well as people needing their services.
- The number of U.S. citizens directly involved is relatively small, around 16,000, spread over 270 embassies and consulates.
- The budget constraints imply that resources need to be allocated carefully to maximize security improvements.
- For Americans in the U.S., the impact is more on the assurance of safety for themselves or relatives working or engaging with embassies overseas.
- A majority of the general U.S. population will have no direct contact or impact from these policy changes.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Midwest, USA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is reassuring as it means my sister might be safer overseas.
- I don't expect this will change anything for me directly, but it's good for my peace of mind.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Diplomatic security advisor (Washington D.C., USA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a step in the right direction, but consistent funding is necessary.
- My work directly relates to this, so it's good to see attention to security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
International student advisor (New York, USA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Safer embassies mean smoother operations for us, indirectly helping students.
- It might slow things down initially during the implementation.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Graduate student (Los Angeles, USA)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Interesting to see practical aspects of security in diplomacy.
- Does not affect me directly but useful for my studies.
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 military officer (Austin, USA)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Always good to see a focus on security; it's necessary.
- Older embassies need these updates most.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Software developer (Houston, USA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Doesn't really influence my life much, embassies aren't in my daily thoughts.
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 |
Non-profit worker (San Francisco, USA)
Age: 37 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Positive move if it strengthens diplomatic functions.
- Hope it includes people-centered safety measures, not just infrastructure.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired diplomat (Chicago, USA)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Essential upgrades were overdue.
- Security measures must strike a balance with diplomacy.
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 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Media analyst (Boston, USA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy's success depends on implementation and maintenance.
- Impacts long-term global diplomacy strategies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Freelance journalist (Seattle, USA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Greater embassy security means peace of mind when obtaining journalist visas.
- Hope this leads to more efficient processing systems too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $42000000, High: $62000000)
Year 3: $53000000 (Low: $43000000, High: $63000000)
Year 5: $55000000 (Low: $44000000, High: $66000000)
Year 10: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Key Considerations
- The scope and costs of updating emergency action plans might vary depending on the size and location of each mission.
- Potential savings from preemptive threat management are uncertain and dependent on a range of factors including geopolitical stability.