Bill Overview
Title: SEVER Act of 2022
Description: This bill directs the President to deny an individual's admission to the United States as a representative to the United Nations if the individual is subject to sanctions regarding Iran and may pose a threat to U.S. national security interests.
Sponsors: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Target Audience
Population: Iranian individuals subject to sanctions representing at the UN
Estimated Size: 0
- The SEVER Act specifically targets individuals who are subject to sanctions regarding Iran.
- The sanctions typically affect government officials or individuals linked to the Iranian government, especially in deepened diplomatic or military roles.
- The Act specifically mentions denial of admission to the United States for the purpose of representing Iran at the United Nations.
- There might be a narrow population of Iranian diplomats and officials affected by this legislation.
- The population directly affected is likely very small and consists primarily of high-ranking Iranian officials who may pose a threat to U.S. security interests.
Reasoning
- The SEVER Act primarily targets a very specific, small group of individuals and does not widely impact the general U.S. population.
- The act affects Iranian diplomats and officials who are sanctioned individuals, not U.S. citizens or residents.
- Therefore, very few individuals in the U.S. will claim a significant personal impact from this policy, aside from those involved in diplomatic circles or think tanks.
- U.S. citizens may express opinions based on national security perspectives but won't feel direct changes in their well-being based on this policy.
- The Cantril wellbeing scores are unlikely to shift drastically for most individuals as a direct result of this policy due to its narrow scope and targeted application.
Simulated Interviews
Policy Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a prudent measure to ensure national security.
- It aligns with U.S. interests to prevent sanctioned individuals from gaining undue influence.
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 (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could have diplomatic repercussions depending on the international response.
- While it addresses security concerns, it must be balanced with diplomatic considerations.
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 |
Diplomat (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The SEVER Act is an essential tool for maintaining diplomatic decorum and security.
- It sets a clear boundary on who can represent potentially hostile nations like Iran.
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 |
Oil Industry Executive (Houston, TX)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Security policies like these can impact our business strategies.
- While not directly affecting us, the geopolitical implications are noteworthy.
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 |
UN Program Consultant (Chicago, IL)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might complicate our work if it leads to increased tensions.
- It's crucial for ongoing dialogue to prevent diplomatic fallout.
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 (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It is a strategic move but may lack transparency on how it's applied.
- Critical that the policy does not become a blanket diplomatic barrier.
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 |
Graduate Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The legal frameworks set by such policies are intriguing from a human rights perspective.
- It opens discussions on the balance between security and rights of representation.
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 |
Attorney (Miami, FL)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We must ensure such policies do not infringe on legitimate business interests.
- Legal challenges could arise based on the interpretation of 'threat'.
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 |
Tech Startup Founder (Seattle, WA)
Age: 31 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like the SEVER Act increase demand for security solutions.
- It's a motivator to innovate, though it does not change everyday life much.
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 |
Community Organizer (Portland, OR)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems unrelated to my work with immigrants but raises general concerns about arbitrary exclusions.
- Awareness of policy evolution and its implications is crucial.
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 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 2: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 3: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 5: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 10: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 100: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Key Considerations
- The primary cost associated with this policy arises from enforcement and monitoring efforts by the State Department and related security agencies.
- The population impacted is minimal due to the specific targeting of high-ranking Iranian officials listed under sanctions.
- The policy fulfills a strategic diplomatic function rather than having a large fiscal impact.