Bill Overview
Title: FOIA Fix Act
Description: This bill bars certain foreign nationals and entities from obtaining U.S. government records under the Freedom of Information Act. The bill specifically prohibits an agency from making records available to specified requesters, including an entity that is a subsidiary of an entity with a principal place of business or headquarters located in China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, Syria, or Venezuela. Further, the bill sets penalties for knowingly assisting, conspiring, or abetting a request for information on behalf of an individual or entity that is prohibited from receiving it.
Sponsors: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Target Audience
Population: Foreign nationals and entities from China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, Syria, and Venezuela
Estimated Size: 5000
- The bill targets foreign nationals and entities from specific countries, barring them from accessing U.S. government records under the FOIA.
- The countries specified in the bill—China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, Syria, and Venezuela—have substantial populations whose entities engage with U.S. institutions.
- Many multinational corporations have subsidiaries in various countries, including those listed, which may be affected.
- Academic and research institutions in these countries commonly request information under FOIA, and these requests will now be restricted.
- Individuals in the specified nations who might have relied on FOIA for information will be directly impacted.
Reasoning
- The policy target population is relatively small compared to the U.S. population since it primarily affects foreign entities and nationals from specified countries.
- Americans are indirectly affected, mainly those working in multinational corporations or academic/research institutions with connections to the targeted countries.
- The budgetary limitations suggest that the initial implementation may focus on setting up compliance systems and potentially auditing organizations more than handling individual influences.
- Given the nature of the policy, the impact on individual well-being in the U.S. will be limited or indirect, mostly affecting professional life rather than personal life.
Simulated Interviews
Corporate Lawyer (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could complicate my job, as it restricts the information I might need from public sectors for compliance.
- Some of our partners in China might face difficulties, which in turn would impact our collaborations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Academic Researcher (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I understand the national security intent, the policy might limit my access to crucial documents for my research.
- I'm concerned about the precedent it sets for access to information.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The restrictions might streamline certain diplomatic interactions but could also pose challenges in bilateral transparency.
- It might serve more as a tool for strategic negotiation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
IT Consultant (Houston, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy isn’t a direct burden on my daily duties but could complicate certain project executions with our Russian partners.
- I see potential for increased security but also for unnecessary paperwork.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Entrepreneur (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could potentially alter how we engage with certain international markets, notably diminishing growth opportunities in some regions.
- Yet, understanding the need for such policies, it's a balanced trade-off.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Immigration Attorney (Miami, FL)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Procurement processes will become tighter, possibly delaying case outcomes for some clients.
- While this enhances security, it does amplify some inefficiencies in bureaucracy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Retired University Professor (Chicago, IL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although personally retired, I see how students and academia might face slight hurdles in obtaining necessary data for study, albeit indirectly.
- Cultural studies might see a shift in how deep they can probe into certain governmental interactions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Public Relations Specialist (Denver, CO)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- In PR, access to accurate data is essential for crafting narratives; this policy could complicate obtaining all available information.
- However, it won't wholly disrupt operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Tech Startup Founder (Seattle, WA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While the product focuses on user security, now we must adjust compliance measures based on new data access restrictions.
- This could create more logistical inconsistencies temporarily.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Energy Sector Executive (Austin, TX)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy clearly alters the playing field in energy trades between U.S. and specified countries.
- We may need to establish alternative data acquisition routes to mitigate risks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 2: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 3: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 5: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 10: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $4000000)
Year 100: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $4000000)
Key Considerations
- Legal challenges by entities denied access could incur additional costs.
- Monitoring and compliance checks will be critical to prevent unauthorized access post-implementation.
- Adapting and training personnel for new enforcement mechanisms may require upfront investment.