RL32730
Cuba: Issues for the 109th Congress
November 01, 2005

Download Locations:

	U.S. Department of State
	National Agricultural Law Center

Summary:

Cuba under Fidel Castro remains a hard-line communist state with a poor record on human rights -- a record that has worsened since 2003. Since the early 1960s, U.S. policy toward Cuba has consisted largely of isolating the island nation through comprehensive economic sanctions. Another component of U.S. policy consists of support measures for the Cuban people, including private humanitarian donations and U.S.-sponsored radio and television broadcasting to Cuba. The Bush Administration has further tightened restrictions on travel, on sending private humanitarian assistance to Cuba, and on the payment process for U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba. While there appears to be broad agreement on the overall objective of U.S. policy toward Cuba -- to help bring democracy and respect for human rights to the island -- there are several schools of thought on how to achieve that objective. Some advocate maximum pressure on the Cuban government until reforms are enacted; others argue for lifting some U.S. sanctions that they believe are hurting the Cuban people. Still others call for a swift normalization of U.S.-Cuban relations. Most attention in the 109th Congress has focused on Cuba's human rights situation and on Cuba sanctions. Legislative initiatives have included four human rights resolutions: House-passed H.Con.Res. 81, H.Res. 193, and H.Res. 388; Senatepassed S.Res. 140; and H.Con.Res. 165, which also expresses support for the embargo. In addition, H.R. 3057 would fund democracy projects for Cuba; Housepassed H.R. 2601 would authorize $5 million for U.S. government scholarship and exchange programs; a pending amendment (S.Amdt. 319) to S. 600 would authorize $15 million in democracy and human rights projects. With regard to Cuba sanctions, the House- and Senate-passed versions of H.R. 3058, the FY2006 Transportation appropriations bill, have identical provisions that would prohibit funds from being used to implement tightened restrictions on "payment of cash in advance" for U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba. Other initiatives include H.Con.Res. 206 (calls on the President to temporarily suspend some sanctions in the aftermath of Hurricane Dennis); H.R. 208 and H.R. 579 (overall Cuba sanctions); S. 894 and H.R. 1814, (travel) H.R. 2617 (family visits); H.R. 3064 ( educational travel); H.R. 1339 and S. 634 (cash in advance for U.S. agricultural sales); and H.R. 719 and S. 328 (facilitation of agricultural sales). In addition, H.R. 719 and S. 328, as well as H.R. 3372 and S. 1604, would repeal a provision of law preventing payments from Cuban or foreign nationals for trademark registration related to confiscated assets in Cuba. In contrast, H.R. 1689 and S. 691 would amend the law regarding Cuban trademarks so that it applies to all parties regardless of nationality. Other legislative initiative have provisions related to Cuba broadcasting (H.R. 2862, H.R. 3057, S. 600, and H.R. 2601); anti-drug cooperation (H.R. 3057); and U.S. fugitives in Cuba (H.R. 2601, H.R. 332). For additional information, see CRS Report RL31139, Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances, by Mark P. Sullivan; CRS Issue Brief IB10061, Exempting Food and Agriculture Products from U.S. Economic Sanctions: Status and Implementation, by Remy Jurenas; and CRS Report RS22228, Cuba after Fidel Castro: Issues for U.S. Policy, by Mark P. Sullivan.