Bill Overview
Title: Diplomatic Support and Security Act of 2022
Description: This bill makes changes to the Department of State's procedures for investigating serious security incidents related to a U.S. government mission abroad. The bill replaces accountability review boards with security review committees.
Sponsors: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals involved with or served by U.S. missions abroad
Estimated Size: 100000
- The bill focuses on changes to procedures within the U.S. Department of State.
- It targets the safety and security management of U.S. missions abroad, directly impacting U.S. diplomatic personnel.
- The changes may also affect foreign nationals employed at U.S. missions who might be part of security procedures.
- Impact extends indirectly to U.S. citizens who rely on these missions for services such as travel visas or assistance abroad in emergencies.
- By replacing accountability review boards with security review committees, the procedures for addressing incidents may become more efficient or comprehensive, affecting diplomats' response to threats.
Reasoning
- The target population involves individuals associated with or serviced by U.S. missions abroad, focusing on those affected directly by security procedures and consular services.
- This includes not only U.S. diplomatic staff and their families but also U.S. citizens who might need consular services abroad.
- The policy has limited funding, meaning the changes must be cost-effective and targeted, likely impacting specific areas of security management and consular services.
- Many in the U.S. population would be indirectly affected if at all, given the specific target of U.S. missions abroad.
Simulated Interviews
State Department Official (Washington D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The shift from accountability review boards to security review committees might speed up the response times to incidents.
- We need these committees to be effective to ensure our missions abroad are safe.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Diplomat (New York)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could improve how we assess and respond to threats.
- It is crucial for diplomats like me to feel secure in our working conditions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
International Aid Worker (California)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Efficiency in security response could improve our ability to work in higher-risk regions.
- Indirectly, these procedures can affect our operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Consular Officer (Texas)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving security management can directly impact consular services, speeding up problem resolution.
- Current accountability procedures often slow down cases.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Retired Diplomat (Chicago)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The shift to security review committees could be a good step forward based on my experiences.
- Security procedures always seemed cumbersome during my time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Security Consultant (Virginia)
Age: 49 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy can mean more efficient security analyses, which in my profession means better safety recommendations for our clients.
- It's definitely a policy I support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Foreign Service Family Member (Florida)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Security of U.S. missions is crucial not just for employees but their families too.
- A clear and efficient process boosts confidence in safety abroad.
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 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Graduate Student (New York)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I'm more an observer, I do think that streamlined security processes might lead to more efficient diplomatic actions.
- It's interesting to see how this change aligns with broader policy trends.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Retired Veteran (Colorado)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any improvement in security response is vital.
- Having been directly involved, these changes seem promising.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Immigration Lawyer (Massachusetts)
Age: 44 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Security reviews can impact visa and consular service speeds.
- Anything to streamline these services is beneficial to my clients.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 2: $4500000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 3: $4500000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 5: $4500000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 10: $4500000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 100: $4500000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Key Considerations
- Ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of security review committees could be crucial for achieving intended outcomes.
- The transition from accountability review boards may require significant coordination and training.
- Potential resistance or operational challenges in changing established procedures should be considered.