Bill Overview
Title: HARM Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of State to designate the PMC Wagner Group as a foreign terrorist organization. Such designation also applies to any affiliated and successor entities undertaking malign activities against the United States and its allies or partners. (Among other things, such a designation allows the Department of the Treasury to require financial institutions to block transactions involving the organization.) The President may waive the application of sanctions against these entities if the President determines it to be in the national interest.
Sponsors: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Target Audience
Population: People working for or affiliated with the PMC Wagner Group
Estimated Size: 500
- The bill primarily targets the PMC Wagner Group, a private military company known to be involved in various conflicts globally.
- Designation of the Wagner Group as a foreign terrorist organization allows for severe financial sanctions and transactions blocking.
- Such actions are aimed at members, affiliates, and possibly supporters of the Wagner Group.
- The legislation would potentially impact financial institutions that may be involved in transactions with the designated entities.
- Government and law enforcement agencies involved in the enforcement of these sanctions will also be impacted by the legislation.
Reasoning
- The population directly impacted by the policy is relatively small as it targets those directly affiliated with or supportive of the PMC Wagner Group and related entities, estimated at 500 people in the U.S.
- Considering indirect effects, such as financial institutions adjusting to compliance requirements, the broader indirect impact could be larger but primarily bureaucratic, not significantly affecting individual well-being scores considerably.
- Self-reported well-being, or Cantril scores, may not change drastically among direct U.S.-based affiliates as they are likely deeply invested or ideologically aligned with PMC Wagner Group activities.
- For indirect impacts on financial institutions, while there is a compliance burden, this is more of an organizational challenge and might not directly impact individual well-being scores.
- The $30,000,000 USD budget indicates substantial resources available for implementation and enforcement in the U.S., primarily for sanctions enforcement and possibly intelligence operations.
Simulated Interviews
Financial Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Significant new compliance challenges from policy.
- Increased workload, especially in the early implementation phase.
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 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
International Relations Consultant (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is an essential step to curb potential threats.
- Implementation could open career opportunities due to increased demand for expertise.
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 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Tech Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy may indirectly affect business opportunities.
- Might need to pivot business strategy to mitigate risks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Law Enforcement Officer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy enhances ability to address complex threats.
- Could increase workload, but viewed positively as important work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Software Developer (Austin, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Indirect impact, policy is necessary but personally unaffected.
- Xenophobic sentiments concern but not seriously affected.
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 |
Journalist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 56 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There will be new opportunities for reporting.
- Concerned about increased tensions but necessary move.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Export Manager (Miami, FL)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Potential disruption in business relations.
- Need to establish new compliance strategies.
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 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finds the policy crucial for her field of study.
- Sees potential career paths and areas of research arising.
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 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Government Employee (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy provides important tools for national security agenda.
- Anticipates increased operational requirements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired Banker (Dallas, TX)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Sees the policy as a necessary precaution.
- Believes it might not have direct personal impact.
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: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $50000000)
Year 2: $25000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $45000000)
Year 3: $25000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $45000000)
Year 5: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $40000000)
Year 10: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $30000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Administrative costs associated with maintaining and updating the terrorist organization designation list.
- Evaluation of waiver processes and national interest determinations by the President.
- Implementation timeline for financial institutions and compliance monitoring by the Treasury Department.