HR2017DEC9

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending December 9, 2005

H.R.2017 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.

BRIEF

The bill authorizes funding for the US to contribute to organizations and efforts to victims of torture and combat torture internationally.

Funds would be made available for the President to contribute including $7 million in 2006 to the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.

The revision to the already passed spending bill for foreign assistance comes at a time when prohibiting torture by US entities is an element of another spending bill for the Department of Defense. Funding international centers that deal with victims of torture is a traditional item in foreign assistance spending bills. The bill also affirms a US policy regarding torture as such:

It is the policy of the United States--

(1) to ensure that, in its support abroad for programs and centers for the treatment of victims of torture, particular incentives and support should be given to establishing and supporting such programs and centers in emerging democracies, in post-conflict environments, and, with a view to providing services to refugees and internally displaced persons, in areas as close to ongoing conflict as safely as possible; and

(2) to ensure that, in its support for domestic programs and centers for the treatment of victims of torture, particular attention should be given to regions with significant immigrant or refugee populations.

Sponsor: Representative Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ-4^th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote December 6, 2005

Cost to the taxpayers: $43 million 2006 and $56 million 2007.