Bring Our Heroes Home Act
Summary
The "Bring Our Heroes Home Act" aims to create a comprehensive system for collecting, reviewing, and publicly disclosing records related to missing Armed Forces and civilian personnel, dating back to December 7, 1941. It establishes a Missing Armed Forces and Civilian Personnel Records Collection at the National Archives and mandates government offices to identify, transmit, and disclose relevant records. A Review Board is created to oversee the process and ensure expeditious public disclosure, subject to specific exceptions.
Expected Effects
This act will lead to increased transparency and access to information regarding missing Armed Forces and civilian personnel. It will also establish a formal process for declassification and public disclosure of related records. The act creates a review board to ensure compliance and resolve disputes regarding disclosure.
Potential Benefits
- Provides families of missing personnel with greater access to information about their loved ones.
- Enhances government transparency and accountability regarding the fate of missing individuals.
- Creates a centralized collection of records for historical and research purposes.
- Establishes a review process to ensure that records are disclosed to the fullest extent possible, while protecting sensitive information.
- Potentially improves the United States' international standing by demonstrating a commitment to accounting for missing personnel.
Potential Disadvantages
- The process of identifying, reviewing, and transmitting records could be time-consuming and costly for government agencies.
- The Review Board's operations and personnel will require significant funding.
- Postponements of disclosure could frustrate families seeking immediate answers.
- Balancing public interest with national security concerns may lead to disputes and delays.
- The act's effectiveness depends on the cooperation of various government agencies and the thoroughness of their record searches.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the Constitution by promoting transparency and accountability, potentially supporting the government's duty to provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare (Preamble). The establishment of a review board and the process for public disclosure are subject to due process considerations, aligning with the Fifth Amendment. The Act's provisions regarding access to information could be seen as supporting the First Amendment's principles of freedom of speech and the press, by enabling a more informed citizenry.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).