RL32730
Cuba: Issues for the 109th Congress
May 25, 2005

Download Locations:

	Federation of American Scientists
	University of North Texas Libraries

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. With the cutoff of assistance from the former Soviet Union, Cuba experienced severe economic deterioration from 1989-1993. While there has been some improvement since 1994, as Cuba has implemented limited reforms, the economy remains in poor shape. As in past years, the main issue for U.S. policy toward Cuba in the 109th Congress is how to best support political and economic change in one of world's remaining communist nations. 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 so far in the 109th Congress has focused on Cuba's poor human rights situation and on Cuba sanctions. Legislative initiatives have included three human rights resolutions: H.Con.Res. 81 and H.Res. 193, approved by the House, and S. 140, approved by the Senate. Numerous initiatives would ease Cuba sanctions: H.R. 208 and H.R. 579, would lift most economic sanctions on Cuba; S. 894 and H.R. 1814, would lift restrictions on travel to Cuba; H.R. 1339 and S. 634, would clarify the term "payment of cash in advance" for U.S. agricultural sales; H.R. 719 and S. 328, in addition to clarifying the term "payment of cash in advance," would take other measures to facilitate U.S. agricultural sales to Cuba, and repeal a provision of law preventing payments for trademark registration and renewals from Cuban or foreign nationals used in connection with a confiscated business or assets in Cuba. In contrast, identical bills H.R. 1689 and S. 691 would make a change to U.S. law regarding Cuban trademarks so that it applies to all parties regardless of nationality. Proposed Cuba amendments to S. 600 would add the language of S. 328 easing Cuba sanctions (S.Amdt. 281); and authorize $15 million in democracy and human rights projects for Cuba (S.Amdt. 319). A failed amendment (S.Amdt. 284) to S. 600 would have prohibited funding for television broadcasting to Cuba. A legislative initiative to tighten sanctions, H.R. 332, would link the lifting of the embargo to Cuba's extradition of U.S. fugitives from justice in Cuba For additional information, see CRS Report RL31139, Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances; and CRS Issue Brief IB10061, Exempting Food and Agriculture Products from U.S. Economic Sanctions: Status and Implementation.