Bill Overview
Title: KESSLER Act
Description: Keeping Everyone Safe and Securing Lives by Emergency Readiness Act or the KESSLER Act This bill directs the President to develop a national strategy to ensure the health and safety of the U.S. civilian population in case of catastrophic incidents. Specifically, the President must develop and submit to Congress a strategy to provide for the basic needs of the civilian population that is impacted by catastrophic incidents in the United States; coordinate response efforts with state and local governments, the private sector, and nonprofit relief organizations; promote personal and local readiness and non-reliance on government relief during periods of heightened tension or after catastrophic incidents; and develop international partnerships with allied nations for the provision of relief services and goods. The President must issue a plan to implement and operationalize the strategy. The Department of Homeland Security shall lead a national exercise to test and enhance the operationalization of the implementation plan. The President must provide recommendations for (1) actions that should be taken to prepare the United States to implement the strategy, increase readiness, and address preparedness gaps; and (2) additional authorities that should be considered to more effectively implement the strategy.
Sponsors: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Target Audience
Population: Global population in nations likely to be impacted by US catastrophic events and may receive assistance or coordination support
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The legislation focuses on the health and safety of the U.S. civilian population.
- Catastrophic incidents can potentially affect everyone within the United States, including citizens, residents, and visitors.
- The target population is extensive due to the broad scope of 'catastrophic incidents,' which could include natural disasters, terrorist attacks, pandemics, etc.
Reasoning
- Given the KESSLER Act's aim to prepare for catastrophic incidents, it likely has a varying impact across different demographics - those in disaster-prone areas may feel more immediate benefits, while others may perceive less impact.
- The budget for the program suggests a major initiation of resources but spreading it out over such a large population means direct effects would be more evident in urban centers or disaster-prone rural areas.
- Not everyone will perceive a change immediately unless directly involved in emergency preparedness programs or drills initiated by this policy.
Simulated Interviews
Public School Teacher (Miami, FL)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having a national strategy for catastrophic incidents adds a level of security.
- It would be beneficial if schools had clear roles in readiness plans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Emergency Response Coordinator (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could greatly improve coordination.
- We need more training and resources now to be effective later.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Software Developer (Denver, CO)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's nice to know there's a plan, but I don't see its immediate effects on my life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired Nurse (Houston, TX)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As an older adult, knowing there's a plan for emergencies is reassuring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Business Owner (Seattle, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A coordinated strategy could help maintain supply lines in emergencies.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Freelance Journalist (New York, NY)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The KESSLER Act is a step forward, but enforcement and actual readiness remain to be seen.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Truck Driver (Kansas City, MO)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's important for safety, but I'm not sure it'll affect my work as expected.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Chef (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We've been waiting for this kind of strategy, but it needs local input to be effective.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
College Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This lays a foundation for future emergency measures. We need sustained commitment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Construction Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 49 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any improvement to emergency infrastructure would indirectly affect my job’s safety.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $700000000)
Year 2: $510000000 (Low: $310000000, High: $710000000)
Year 3: $520000000 (Low: $320000000, High: $720000000)
Year 5: $540000000 (Low: $340000000, High: $740000000)
Year 10: $580000000 (Low: $380000000, High: $780000000)
Year 100: $1000000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1200000000)
Key Considerations
- The large scope of the target population, estimated at 331 million Americans, requires expansive planning and resources for effective strategy implementation.
- Long-term maintenance of readiness postures and international collaboration are crucial for sustained effectiveness.
- Legal and budgetary support from Congress may be needed to implement additional authorities proposed by the President.
- Operational exercises impose recurring costs but are necessary to ensure the strategy's effectiveness.