Bill Overview
Title: Strengthen Taiwan's Security Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop, with close consultation with Taiwan's Ministry of Defense, a plan for the United States to use existing authorities to expedite military assistance to Taiwan as necessary for Taiwan to defend itself against certain military actions, such as an amphibious assault, a missile attack, or a blockade. The bill also requires DOD to report annually on the ability of the United States to support Taiwan's defense capabilities.
Sponsors: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Target Audience
Population: People living in Taiwan
Estimated Size: 50000
- The bill directly impacts the defense and security situation in Taiwan, as it involves military assistance and defense cooperation.
- The population of Taiwan is approximately 23 million people, who would be directly impacted by any enhancement in their national defense capabilities and security.
- The U.S. Department of Defense and associated military personnel would be involved in planning and execution.
- Indirectly, the bill could impact regional stability in East Asia, affecting neighboring countries.
- A military conflict involving Taiwan would have broader implications, potentially affecting global security and economies.
Reasoning
- The policy is primarily focused on defense and military strategy, which directly involves personnel in the defense sector—both military and civilian. This includes people working for the Department of Defense (DOD), defense contractors, military bases, and related industries.
- U.S. citizens in Taiwan and East Asia may perceive changes in security due to shifts in military posture or policy, influencing their wellbeing.
- Taxpayers, as part of the broader U.S. population, might be indirectly affected, if there are changes in military spending or foreign policy that relate to the policy.
- The policy could also influence geopolitical stability in East Asia, which might affect global economic conditions, potentially impacting people working in finance or international business.
- The direct engagement with roughly 50,000 U.S. citizens suggests most Americans will experience negligible direct impact. Instead, broader implications might influence political sentiments or international relations perception.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (San Diego, California)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think strengthening Taiwan's defense is crucial given the geopolitical tensions.
- I work on software that supports defense systems; this policy could mean more projects and job security for me.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Military Strategist (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill will significantly impact my workload, given my involvement in East Asian defense strategies.
- I believe it will strengthen U.S. allies and promote stability in the region.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Financial Analyst (New York, New York)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these tend to increase geopolitical stability, which can be positive for markets, but there's also the risk of escalation.
- It's a mixed bag—good for some sectors, risky for others.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Military Officer (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about the ongoing tensions in East Asia and the potential for conflict.
- I support any efforts to strengthen alliances in the region—like this policy.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Graduate Student (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a student, I find it fascinating to see real-world applications of strategies I've studied.
- This policy demonstrates proactive defense cooperation, which aligns with some of our theoretical discussions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Tech Entrepreneur (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any policy that strengthens security could mean more business and clients for tech solutions.
- Interested in how this might change the dynamics and demand for cybersecurity tools.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Officer in the Reserves (Austin, Texas)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Personally, this policy means training commitments and funding could increase.
- I think it’s necessary but wonder about the long-term implications.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
High School Teacher (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Age: 46 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This gives me more material to discuss in class, especially regarding recent geopolitical shifts.
- It's a good case study for how policies abroad can affect us.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Political Analyst (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is consistent with ongoing U.S. efforts to stabilize East Asia—a region of strategic importance.
- It raises questions about future diplomatic relations with China.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about increased military spending and its impact on domestic programs.
- However, supporting allies is important for maintaining global balance.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $450000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $520000000 (Low: $470000000, High: $620000000)
Year 3: $540000000 (Low: $490000000, High: $640000000)
Year 5: $580000000 (Low: $520000000, High: $680000000)
Year 10: $650000000 (Low: $580000000, High: $750000000)
Year 100: $900000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1100000000)
Key Considerations
- Potential dependency created with Taiwan on U.S. defense support structures.
- Geopolitical implications concerning China and international allies.
- Sustainability of long-term military spending on regional security without direct conflict.
- Adaptation of U.S. military resources to both domestic and international priorities.