Bill Overview
Title: SAFE Act
Description: This bill requires the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop a strategy for averting a global food security crisis. The bill also relaxes a law requiring that certain goods be transported by U.S. vessels. The bill authorizes USAID to procure life-saving food aid commodities to provide emergency food assistance to the most vulnerable populations in countries experiencing acute food insecurity. For certain commodities procured under this authority, the bill waives a requirement that a certain percentage of the commodities must be transported by U.S. vessels (such requirements are known as federal cargo preference laws). The bill also removes a mandate from a federal cargo preference law relating to goods obtained by the U.S. government.
Sponsors: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Target Audience
Population: People in countries experiencing acute food insecurity
Estimated Size: 50000
- The bill aims to avert a global food security crisis, thus it targets populations in countries experiencing acute food insecurity.
- Acute food insecurity affects millions globally, often in countries facing conflict, climate change impacts, or economic instability.
- The target population includes the most vulnerable individuals in these countries, potentially those at risk of starvation or malnutrition.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily targets global populations facing food insecurity, thus a direct impact on US citizens is minimal.
- The indirect effects on US citizens are mainly through the shipping industry, which will be affected by the relaxed cargo preference laws.
- This industry change might impact jobs or business operations for some involved in US maritime transport.
- Considering the budget constraint, the primary benefits will likely be abroad, with minimal domestic impact.
- A diverse set of interviews will include shipping industry workers, humanitarian workers, and citizens not directly impacted to provide a comprehensive assessment.
Simulated Interviews
Dockworker (Norfolk, VA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am concerned about potential job losses if fewer American ships are used.
- This change might mean fewer working hours for many of us.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Shipping logistics manager (Seattle, WA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This law might make my job easier by loosening restrictions.
- Could potentially open new avenues for international shipping deals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Ship captain (Houston, TX)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm slightly worried about how this might affect my employment options.
- The preference laws have been a stable part of our business.
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 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Humanitarian aid worker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could significantly enhance our response capabilities.
- It's exciting to see policies align with urgent humanitarian needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Maritime lawyer (New York, NY)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The relaxation may simplify some legal processes, but it could also lead to loss of certain legal protections for US shipping.
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 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
University professor (Miami, FL)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a necessary adjustment considering the global pressures on food security.
- The existing laws were outdated for the current crisis we face.
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 |
Food supply chain analyst (Chicago, IL)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might streamline supply chains for emergency aid.
- We might see a shift in global distribution patterns.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Local business owner (Charleston, SC)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy may not impact us directly, but a stable global situation can stabilize local economies.
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 |
Activist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 37 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's promising to see the US taking steps toward pragmatic solutions in global crises.
- The removal of these trade barriers can speed up necessary aid.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
IT Consultant (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see potential for increased demands on logistics software solutions.
- A change that large in operations can create opportunities for tech enhancements.
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 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $255000000 (Low: $205000000, High: $305000000)
Year 3: $260000000 (Low: $210000000, High: $310000000)
Year 5: $270000000 (Low: $220000000, High: $320000000)
Year 10: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 100: $400000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $450000000)
Key Considerations
- Target global populations suffering from acute food insecurity, about 85 million people, according to estimates.
- Indirect impacts on U.S. maritime industries due to relaxation in cargo preferences.
- Overall U.S. food security strategy alignment with global humanitarian goals.