Bill Overview
Title: COI Elimination Act
Description: This bill limits U.S. contributions to the United Nations pertaining to the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. Current law imposes a cap on the annual U.S. contribution to the U.N. budget. The bill lowers that cap by 25% of the amount budgeted for the commission unless the Department of State certifies to Congress that the commission has been abolished. After such a certification, the United States shall, subject to appropriations, provide to the United Nations an amount equal to all the contributions that were withheld under this bill. The bill also states that it shall be U.S. policy to seek the abolition of the commission and combat systemic anti-Israel bias in international bodies.
Sponsors: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
Target Audience
Population: People residing in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel
Estimated Size: 10000
- The bill pertains to U.S. funding contributions specifically to the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.
- The Commission is tasked with investigating human rights violations and abuses in these territories, which involves people living in or connected to these regions.
- The country's funding contributions directly support the U.N.'s ability to carry out such investigations, but cutting funding might reduce its operational capacity.
- Individuals whose human rights and situations are under investigation by this U.N. commission will be directly affected.
- Investigations can lead to international awareness and policy changes, potentially impacting living conditions, justice processes, and international aid for people in these areas.
Reasoning
- The policy mainly impacts people involved in international relations and international human rights work, thus it may not directly influence the day-to-day lives of the average American citizen.
- There might be an indirect influence on American citizens who are involved either in human rights advocacy, in shaping international policy, or those with specific interest in Middle Eastern geopolitics.
- Although this policy primarily affects U.S. government spending, public perception could influence wellbeing scores especially for those who prioritize international human rights in their sense of personal wellbeing.
- A smaller fraction of the American populace, such as U.N. collaborators, policymakers, and advocates who are involved with human rights and Middle Eastern policy, would be more attuned and responsive to the policy.
Simulated Interviews
Policy Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act might reduce funds for important investigations which promote peace and justice in conflicted areas.
- I am concerned this policy might reduce America's influence in human rights advocacy on the global stage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Human Rights Activist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The act undermines necessary oversight in the region, affecting my work negatively.
- Dialogue and inquiry are essential to human rights work, which this act aims to restrict.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Government Employee (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act aligns with the current administration's foreign policy goals.
- The potential reallocation of funds might allow for support of other global initiatives.
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 |
Journalist (Detroit, MI)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This move could compromise the transparency and information flow from the Middle East.
- The act may lead to an increase in global tensions and reduce diplomatic channels.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Academic Researcher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act shifts crucial funding away from investigative projects in a region of conflict.
- It represents a shift in the U.S. stance on international justice matters.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Teacher (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Foreign policy changes have negligible effect on my daily life.
- Understanding these policies is important for educational purposes but doesn't directly affect my wellbeing.
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 (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've lived through many foreign policy shifts and this seems like another move aligning with current political trends.
- While informative, it has no direct effect on me.
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 |
Entrepreneur (Boston, MA)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The shifts in U.S. foreign policy have no influence on my business.
- My concern is mainly on national economic policies.
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 |
University Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm increasingly aware of the importance of U.S. involvement in international bodies.
- However, these decisions don’t affect my immediate wellbeing.
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 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Software Developer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy changes such as these are informative but don't change my everyday life.
- My wellbeing is more affected by local and national economic policies.
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 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $31000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 2: $31000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 3: $31000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 5: $31000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 10: $31000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 100: $31000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy's impact hinges on whether the U.N. commission is abolished and the U.S. restores its contributions, changing long-term financial effects.
- Diplomatic initiatives seeking the commission's abolition may involve broader international repercussions and strategic considerations.
- Monitoring international relations and U.N. actions will be crucial in adapting policy measures.