[House Report 108-261]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
108th Congress Rept. 108-261
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session Part 2
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TORTURE VICTIMS RELIEF REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2003
_______
September 17, 2003.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Tauzin, from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1813]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Energy and Commerce, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 1813) to amend the Torture Victims Relief Act of
1998 to authorize appropriations to provide assistance for
domestic and foreign centers and programs 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.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 2
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 2
Hearings......................................................... 2
Committee Consideration.......................................... 2
Committee Votes.................................................. 2
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 2
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 2
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 2
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 3
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 3
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 4
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 4
Constitutional Authority Statement............................... 5
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 5
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 5
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 5
[[Page 2]]
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 1813 reauthorizes the Torture Victims Relief Act of
1998 to support domestic and foreign centers for treatment of
victims of torture.
Background and Need for Legislation
The Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 authorizes the
President make grants to treatment centers and programs in
foreign countries that are carrying out projects or activities
specifically designed to treat victims of torture. These
rehabilitation activities include both physical and
psychological treatment programs. The Act also authorizes
appropriations to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims
of Torture.
H.R. 1813 reauthorizes the Torture Victims Relief Act by
increasing the level of funding that may be provided for
programs to assist victims of torture for an additional three-
year period.
Hearings
The Committee on Energy and Commerce has not held hearings
on the legislation.
Committee Consideration
On September 10, 2003, Full Committee met in open markup
session and favorably ordered H.R. 1813 reported to the House
by a voice vote, a quorum being present.
Committee Votes
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires the Committee to list the record votes
on themotion to report legislation and amendments thereto.
There were no record votes taken in connection with ordering H.R. 1813
reported. A motion by Mr. Tauzin to order H.R. 1813 reported to the
House, without amendment, was agreed to by a voice vote.
Committee Oversight Findings
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee has not held oversight
or legislative hearings on this legislation.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
The goal of H.R. 1813 is to reauthorize the Torture Victims
Relief Act of 1998 to support domestic and foreign centers for
treatment of victims of torture.
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H.R.
1813, the Torture Victims Relief Act 2003, would result in no
new or increased budget authority, entitlement authority, or
tax expenditures or revenues.
[[Page 3]]
Committee Cost Estimate
The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared
by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
Congressional Budget Office Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate
provided by the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section
402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, September 15, 2003.
Hon. W.J. ``Billy'' Tauzin,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1813, the Torture
Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2003.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Joseph C.
Whitehill.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Sunshine
(For Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Director).
Enclosure.
H.R. 1813--Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2003
Summary: H.R. 1813 would authorize the appropriation of $37
million in 2004, $44 million in 2005, and $51 million in 2006
for programs to provide assistance for the treatment of victims
of torture. The bill would authorize funding for the Department
of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Agency for
International Development for domestic and international
centers and programs for the treatment of victims of torture.
The bill also would authorize a contribution to the Untied
Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. CBO estimates
that implementing H.R. 1813 would cost $117 million over the
2004-2008 period, assuming the appropriation of the authorized
amounts. The bill would not affect direct spending or receipts.
H.R. 1813 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal
governments.
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary impact of H.R. 1813 is shown in the following table.
The estimate assumes the bill will be enacted late in fiscal
year 2003; that the amounts authorized for 2004, 2005, and 2006
will be appropriated near the start of each fiscal year; and
that spending will follow historical patterns. The costs of
this legislation fall within budget functions 150
(international affairs) and 600 (income security).
[[Page 4]]
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By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
-----------------------------------------------------
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
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SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Spending under current law for victims of torture relief:
Budget authority...................................... 23 0 0 0 0 0
Estimated outlays..................................... 22 15 7 4 2 2
Proposed changes:
Authorizationl level.................................. 0 37 44 51 0 0
Estimated outlays..................................... 0 13 27 38 26 13
Spending under H.R. 1813 for victims of torture relief:
Authorization level \1\............................... 23 37 44 51 0 0
Estimated outlays..................................... 22 28 34 42 28 15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 2003 level is the amount appropriated for that year.
Basis of estimate: Section 2 would authorize appropriations
of $20 million in 2004, $25 million in 2005, and $30 million in
2006 for the Department of Health and Human Services to assist
in the rehabilitation of victims of torture. These funds would
support a variety of assistance programs for torture victims,
including physical and psychological rehabilitation services
and legal aid.
Section 3 would authorize appropriations of $11 million in
2004, $12 million in 2005, and $13 million in 2006 for
international programs for assistance for the rehabilitation of
individual victims of torture and for professionals and
organizations that provide treatment services to victims of
torture, their families, and their communities.
Section 4 would authorize appropriations of $6 million in
2004, $7 million in 2005, and $8 million in 2006 for a
contribution to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims
of Torture.
Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 1813
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined in UMRA and would not affect the budgets of state,
local, or tribal governments.
Previous CBO estimate: On August 7, 2003, CBO transmitted a
cost estimate for H.R. 1813, the Torture Victims Relief
Reauthorization Act of 2003, as ordered reported by the House
Committee on International Relations on July 23, 2003. The two
versions of the bill and their estimated costs are identical.
Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: International Affairs
Programs: Joseph C. Whitehill; Domestic Programs: Michael D.
Carson. Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Melissa
Merrell. Impact on the Private Sector: Paige Piper/Bach.
Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
Federal Mandates Statement
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act.
Advisory Committee Statement
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this
legislation.
[[Page 5]]
Constitutional Authority Statement
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that the
Constitutional authority for this legislation is provided in
Article I, section 8, clause 3, which grants Congress the power
to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the several
States, and with the Indian tribes.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 designates the short title as the ``Torture
Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2003.''
Section 2. Authorization of appropriations for domestic treatment
centers for victims of torture
Section 2 authorizes the appropriation of $20,000,000 for
fiscal year 2004, $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, and
$30,000,000 for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Health
and Human Services to manage domestic centers and programs for
the treatment of victims of torture.
Section 3. Authorization of appropriations for foreign treatment
centers for victims of torture
Section 3 authorizes the appropriation of $11,000,000 for
fiscal year 2004, $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, and
$13,000,000 for fiscal year 2006 to provide assistance for
centers in foreign countries and programs for the treatment of
victims of torture as authorized by the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961.
Section 4. Authorization of appropriations for the United States
contribution to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims
of Torture
Section 4 authorizes the appropriation of $6,000,000 for
fiscal year 2004, $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, and
$8,000,000 for fiscal year 2006 for the President to make a
voluntary contribution 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 italic, existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
TORTURE VICTIMS RELIEF ACT OF 1998
* * * * * * *
[[Page 6]]
SEC. 4. FOREIGN TREATMENT CENTERS.
(a) * * *
(b) Funding.--
[(1) Authorization of appropriations.--Of the amounts
authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 1999 and
2000 pursuant to chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, there are authorized to be
appropriated to the President $5,000,000 for fiscal
year 1999 and $7,500,000 for fiscal year 2000 to carry
out section 130 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(as redesignated by section 6(a) of the Torture Victims
Relief Reauthorization Act of 1999).]
(1) Authorization of appropriations.--Of the amounts
authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2004,
2005, and 2006 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 (relating to assistance for centers in
foreign countries and programs for the treatment of
victims of torture) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2004,
$12,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, and $13,000,000 for
fiscal year 2006.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 5. DOMESTIC TREATMENT CENTERS.
(a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(b) Funding.--
[(1) Authorization of appropriations.--Of the amounts
authorized to be appropriated for the Department of
Health and Human Services for fiscal years 1999 and
2000, 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) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, and
$7,500,000 for fiscal year 2000.]
(1) Authorization of appropriations.--Of the amounts
authorized to be appropriated for the Department of
Health and Human Services for fiscal years 2004, 2005,
and 2006, 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,
$25,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, and $30,000,000 for
fiscal year 2006.
* * * * * * *