Bill Overview
Title: Streamline Pentagon Budgeting Act of 2022
Description: This bill repeals reporting requirements related to the unfunded priorities of the (1) armed force or forces or combatant command, and (2) the Missile Defense Agency.
Sponsors: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Target Audience
Population: Defense personnel and contractors involved in budgeting and reporting
Estimated Size: 4500000
- The individuals directly involved in the creation and assessment of unfunded priority lists in the armed forces are impacted as their responsibilities may change.
- Military budget analysts and financial planners will be impacted due to changes in budget planning and reporting procedures.
- Indirectly, military personnel could be affected insofar as the changes in budgeting and prioritization can alter the resources available for their missions.
- Defense contractors working with the armed forces and Missile Defense Agency may see shifts in contract opportunities and funding allocations.
- Department of Defense administrative staff managing compliance and reporting will also be affected as their workloads and processes change.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically impacts a very niche segment of the population: Pentagon budget planners, military personnel indirectly influenced by budget prioritizations, and associated contractors and administrative staff involved in defense budgeting and reporting.
- The estimated population size impacted is relatively small compared to the overall U.S. population, mostly involving individuals within or associated with the Department of Defense.
- Given the policy involves a reduction of duties in reporting unfunded priorities, the immediate direct impacts might be administrative adjustments with potential long-term effects on military funding efficiency.
- The Cantril wellbeing scores will focus on potential changes in workload, job security, and perceived efficiency in resource management within the defense sector as described by the interview subjects.
- The policy involves reducing reporting requirements, which could streamline operations, but also may raise concerns about oversight and resource allocation transparency.
Simulated Interviews
Defense Budget Analyst (Washington D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The changes could simplify my work, but I'm worried about oversight and the potential for missing crucial budgetary needs.
- I believe this policy could lead to a more streamlined process, but it might also result in decreased accountability.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
Military Officer (San Diego, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Not having detailed unfunded priorities reports could affect logistical planning.
- I feel that this might affect our operations with unforeseen budget constraints.
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 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
DoD Administrative Support (Arlington, VA)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reducing the reporting requirements decreases my workload significantly.
- This could be a good opportunity to focus on more strategic tasks.
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 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Defense Contractor (Huntsville, AL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our contracts might be affected by changing priorities and reduced transparency.
- It's a bit concerning how this might shift allocations and job stability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Military Personnel (Colorado Springs, CO)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm wary of how this affects operational readiness without having detailed unmet needs documented.
- There might be efficiency gains, but with potential for overlooked requirements.
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 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Pentagon Accountant (Boston, MA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could streamline our financial monitoring, but with risks of missing crucial priority needs.
- I am both relieved and cautious about the impact of fewer reporting obligations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Department of Defense Compliance Officer (Virginia Beach, VA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Concerns about reduced accountability and tracking of missing priorities.
- Streamlining is good but perhaps at the cost of effectiveness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Defense Analyst Intern (Fort Meade, MD)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the reduced administrative burden as it allows more focus on analysis.
- Still, I'm cautious about the long-term effects on funding priorities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Military Financial Planner (Seattle, WA)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy changes might make long-term planning more difficult without knowing unmet needs.
- This could cause issues around planning for future contingencies.
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 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
Retired Military Consultant (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy reflects a shift towards efficiency, but there's potential for missing important priorities.
- As someone who values oversight, this raises concerns about transparency.
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 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $-5000000 (Low: $-3000000, High: $-7000000)
Year 2: $-5000000 (Low: $-3000000, High: $-7000000)
Year 3: $-5000000 (Low: $-3000000, High: $-7000000)
Year 5: $-5000000 (Low: $-3000000, High: $-7000000)
Year 10: $-5000000 (Low: $-3000000, High: $-7000000)
Year 100: $-5000000 (Low: $-3000000, High: $-7000000)
Key Considerations
- Potential changes in internal DoD workflow that could lead to further efficiencies or inefficiencies.
- Impact on defense contractors dependent on the reporting requirements for insights and business strategy alignment.
- Adjustment period for staff transitioning from existing processes to new streamlined routines.