59–006 

110TH CONGRESS REPT. 110–103 " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session Part 1 

TORTURE VICTIMS RELIEF REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 

2007 

APRIL 20, 2007.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. LANTOS, from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 1678] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Foreign Affairs, to whom was referred the bill 

(H.R. 1678) to amend the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations to provide assistance for domestic and foreign programs and centers for the treatment of victims of torture, 

and for other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do 

pass. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

Summary .................................................................................................................. 2 

Background and Purpose ........................................................................................ 2 

Hearings ................................................................................................................... 3 

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 3 

Votes of the Committee ........................................................................................... 3 

Committee Oversight Findings ............................................................................... 3 

New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures ...................................................... 4 

Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate .......................................................... 4 

Intergovernmental and Private Sector Impact ...................................................... 5 

Performance Goals and Objectives ......................................................................... 5 

Constitutional Authority Statement ...................................................................... 5 

New Advisory Committees ...................................................................................... 5 

Congressional Accountability Act ........................................................................... 6 

Earmark Identification ............................................................................................ 6 

Section-by-Section Analysis .................................................................................... 6 

Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported ..................................... 6 

Exchange of Letters—Foreign Affairs Committee and Energy and Commerce 

Committee ............................................................................................................. 8 

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SUMMARY

H.R. 1678, the Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 

2007, was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The Committee 

on Foreign Affairs considered the portions of the bill under its jurisdiction and ordered it to be reported favorably, by voice vote, 

without amendment, on March 27, 2007. 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

H.R. 1678, the Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 

2007, reauthorizes appropriations to assist domestic and international programs and centers specializing in the treatment of victims of torture. The legislation reauthorizes funds to carry out provisions of P.L. 105–320, the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 (the ‘‘TVRA’’). In particular, the bill authorizes $25,000,000 for each of 

FY08 and FY09 for the Department of Health and Human Services 

in support of domestic treatment centers (this provision falls under 

the jurisdiction of the Committee on Energy and Commerce). In addition, the bill authorizes $12,000,000 for each of FY08 and FY09 

in support of international treatment centers and programs. Finally, the bill authorizes $12,000,000 for each of FY08 and FY09 

for the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. 

Although exact figures are difficult to determine, according to 

Amnesty International, over 150 countries worldwide still engage 

in torture. An estimated 400,000 to 500,000 foreign torture survivors reside in the United States, and there may be over 100 million worldwide. More than 250 treatment programs operate internationally to provide crucial medical, psychological and social services to torture survivors. The Center for Victims of Torture in Minnesota was the first multi-discipline center of its kind in the United 

States and the third torture victims’ treatment program in the 

world. Currently, there are 31 programs for the treatment of survivors of torture operating in the United States, of which 20 programs are assisted through the Office of Refugee Resettlement 

(ORR) of the Department of Health and Human Services. The National Consortium of Torture Victims Treatment Programs reports 

that their clients come from 110 countries, and 93% of those clients 

are newly-arrived torture survivors. Only 7% of their clients are 

long-term residents or have become citizens of the United States. 

The Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998, which was sponsored by 

Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R–NJ) and cosponsored by Rep. Tom 

Lantos (D–CA), established a comprehensive approach in the support of programs for the treatment of survivors of torture in the 

United States and abroad. With regard to domestic treatment programs, the TVRA tasks the Secretary of Health and Human Services with coordinating grants to services for the rehabilitation of 

victims of torture. This includes the treatment of the physical and 

psychological effects of torture, as well as social and legal services 

for victims of torture. Regarding domestic programs, the TVRA also 

provides support for research and training for health care providers 

outside of treatment centers if they provide similar services. The 

grants are administered through ORR. Concerning international 

entities providing such services abroad, the TVRA authorizes the 

President to provide grant assistance for the rehabilitation of vicmstockstill on PROD1PC66 with HEARING

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tims of torture. These funds can be provided to entities which offer 

direct services to victims of torture, and support research and 

training to health care providers outside of treatment centers, if 

they provide similar services. These grants are administered by the 

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) 

through its Victims of Torture Fund (VTF). In FY06, the VTF supported treatment programs in 28 countries that span 4 regions 

(Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Near East, 

and Europe and Eurasia) and supported 120 local organizations in 

communities where survivors live. Finally, the TVRA authorizes 

the President to make a contribution from the United States to the 

multilateral United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture 

(UNVF). Through this United Nations mechanism, the UNVF supported 175 Projects in 64 countries in 2006, including within the 

United States. The TVRA further expresses the sense of Congress 

that the President, acting through the United States Permanent 

Representative to the United Nations, should request the UNVF to 

find new ways to support and protect treatment centers and programs that are carrying out rehabilitative services for victims of 

torture, to encourage the development of new centers and programs, and to use its voice and vote to support the work of the 

United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and the United Nations Committee Against Torture. 

In addition to supporting these treatment programs, the TVRA 

requires the Secretary of State to provide a special training program for Foreign Service Officers on the nature, impact and circumstances of torture. 

HEARINGS

The Committee did not hold hearings on the legislation. 

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On March 27, 2007, the Committee met in an open mark-up session and ordered favorably reported H.R. 1678 without amendment 

by voice vote, a quorum being present. 

VOTES OF THE COMMITTEE

In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee notes that there were no 

recorded votes during consideration of H.R. 1678. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee finds and reemphasizes 

that Congress has passed an important policy provision regarding 

the application and disbursements of grants under the TVRA in the 

Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109–165), 

which stipulates that special consideration should be given to establishing and supporting such programs and centers abroad in 

emerging democracies, in post-conflict environments, and, with a 

view toward providing services to refugees and internally displaced 

persons, in areas as close to ongoing conflict as safely as possible. 

In addition, the 2005 law seeks to ensure that, in support for domstockstill on PROD1PC66 with HEARING

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mestic programs and centers for the treatment of victims of torture, particular attention should be given to regions with significant immigrant or refugee population concentrations. 

NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY AND TAX EXPENDITURES

H.R. 1678 reauthorizes the following sums to carry out the provisions of the Torture Victims Relief Act (P.L. 105–320): $25,000,000 

for each of FY08 and FY09 for the Department of Health and 

Human Services in support of domestic treatment centers (this provision falls under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Energy and 

Commerce); $12,000,000 for each of FY08 and FY09 in support of 

international treatment programs; and $12,000,000 for each of 

FY08 and FY09 for the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

In compliance with clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee sets forth, with respect to 

the bill, H.R. 1678, the following estimate and comparison prepared 

by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under Section 

402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: 

U.S. CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, Washington, DC, April 2, 2007. 

Hon. TOM LANTOS, Chairman, 

Committee on Foreign Affairs, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1678, the Torture Victims 

Relief Reauthorization Act of 2007. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Sam Papenfuss, who can 

be reached at 226–2840. 

Sincerely, 

PETER R. ORSZAG. 

Enclosure 

cc: Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen 

Ranking Member 

H.R. 1678—Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2007 

H.R. 1678 would authorize the appropriation of $49 million in 

both 2008 and 2009 for foreign and domestic programs to assist victims of torture. CBO estimates that implementing the bill would 

cost $22 million in 2008 and $97 million over the 2008–2012 period, assuming that outlays would follow historical spending patterns for those programs and that the authorized amounts would 

be appropriated. The bill would not affect direct spending or revenues. 

The estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 1678 is shown in the following table. The costs of this legislation fall within budget functions 150 (international affairs) and 550 (health). 

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By Fiscal Year, in Millions of Dollars 

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 

CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Domestic Treatment Centers 

Authorization Level 25 25 0 0 0 

Estimated Outlays 8 18 15 7 2 

Foreign Treatment Centers 

Authorization Level 12 12 0 0 0 

Estimated Outlays 2 8 8 3 2 

Contribution to United Nations’ Fund 

Authorization Level 12 12 0 0 0 

Estimated Outlays 12 12 0 0 0 

Total 

Authorization Level 49 49 0 0 0 

Estimated Outlays 22 38 23 10 4 

Section 2 of the bill would authorize the appropriation of $25 million a year in 2008 and 2009 for the Department of Health and 

Human Services (HHS) for domestic treatment of victims of torture. Under current law, HHS makes grants to programs in the 

United States that provide psychological and physical rehabilitation, social services, and legal services to victims of torture. Section 

3 would authorize the appropriation of $12 million in 2008 and $12 

million in 2009 for foreign treatment centers for victims of torture. 

Finally, section 4 would authorize the appropriation of $12 million 

in 2008 and $12 million in 2009 for grants to the United Nations 

Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. 

H.R. 1678 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would 

not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments. 

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Sam Papenfuss, who 

can be reached at 226–2840. This estimate was approved by Robert 

A. Sunshine, Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. 

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE SECTOR IMPACT

H.R. 1681 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA and would not affect the budgets of 

state, local, or tribal governments. 

PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The Committee states that the purpose of H.R. 1678 is to reauthorize funds to carry out provisions of the Torture Victims Relief 

Act of 1998, to provide effective and adequate medical and psychosocial treatment and services to survivors of torture, both in the 

United States and abroad. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Pursuant to clause 3(d) (1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the Committee finds the authority for this legislation in article I, section 8 of the Constitution. 

NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEES

H.R. 1678 establishes no new advisory committees. 

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CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

H.R. 1678 does not apply to the Legislative Branch. 

EARMARK IDENTIFICATION

H.R. 1678 does not contain any congressional earmarks, limited 

tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), 

or 9(f) of rule XXI. Section 202 contains an authorization for a 

grant to the International Center for Democratic Transition, an organization endorsed by the Community of Democracies at its 2006 

Ministerial meeting and supported by the Department of State. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION AND DISCUSSION

Section 1. Short Title. 

Section 1 sets as short title of H.R. 1678, the ‘‘Torture Victims 

Relief Reauthorization Act of 2007.’’

Section 2. Authorization of Appropriations for Domestic Treatment 

Centers for Victims of Torture. 

Section 2 authorizes $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 

and 2009 for the Department of Health and Human Services to 

fund domestic treatment centers for victims of torture. 

Section 3. Authorization of Appropriations for Foreign Treatment 

Centers for Victims of Torture. 

Section 3 authorizes $12,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 

and 2009 for the President to fund foreign treatment centers for 

victims of torture. 

Section 4. Authorization of Appropriations for the United States 

Contribution to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims 

of Torture. 

Section 4 authorizes $12,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 

and 2009 for the President to make United States contributions to 

the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italics, 

existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman): 

TORTURE VICTIMS RELIEF ACT OF 1998 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 4. FOREIGN TREATMENT CENTERS. 

(a) * * * 

(b) FUNDING.—

ø(1) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Of the amounts 

authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 

pursuant to chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act 

of 1961, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Presimstockstill on PROD1PC66 with HEARING

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dent to carry out section 130 of such Act (relating to assistance 

for centers in foreign countries and programs for the treatment 

of victims of torture) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 and 

$12,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.¿ 

(1) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 pursuant to chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 

1961, there are authorized to be appropriated to the President 

to carry out section 130 of such Act $12,000,000 for each of the 

fiscal years 2008 and 2009. 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 5. DOMESTIC TREATMENT CENTERS. 

(a) * * * 

(b) FUNDING.—

ø(1) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Of the amounts 

authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Health 

and Human Services for fiscal years 2004 and 2005, there are 

authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (a) (relating to assistance for domestic centers and programs for the 

treatment of victims of torture) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 

and $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.¿ 

(1) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Health and 

Human Services for fiscal years 2008 and 2009, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (a) 

$25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 and 2009. 

* * * * * * * 

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