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Summary

Cuba remains a hard-line communist state with a poor record on human rights. The country's political succession from the long-ruling Fidel Castro to his brother Raúl was characterized by a remarkable degree of stability. Fidel stepped down from power temporarily in July 2006 because of health reasons, and Raúl assumed provisional control of the government until February 2008, when he officially became President. After Raúl Castro officially assumed the presidency, his government announced a series of economic changes that included lifting restrictions on the sale of some electronic consumer products and cell phones. A major reform effort has focused on the agriculture sector in an effort to boost food production. While additional economic changes are likely, there has been disappointment that further reforms have not been forthcoming. The economy was hard hit by storms in 2008 that resulted in $10 billion in damages, and the current global financial crisis is causing further strains. Few observers expect the government to ease its tight control over the political system, which is backed up by a strong security apparatus. Since the early 1960s, U.S. policy has consisted largely of isolating Cuba through economic sanctions. A second policy component has consisted of support measures for the Cuban people, including private humanitarian donations, U.S.-sponsored broadcasting to Cuba, and support for human rights. In light of Fidel Castro's departure as head of government, many observers have called for a re-examination of policy. In this new context, two broad approaches have been advanced: an approach that would maintain the dual-track policy of isolating the Cuban government while providing support to the Cuban people; and an approach aimed at changing attitudes within the Cuban government and society through increased contact and engagement. In April 2009, President Obama announced that his Administration would allow unlimited family travel and remittances and greater telecommunications links; on September 3, 2009, the Treasury and Commerce Department issued regulations implementing these policy changes. The 111th Congress has taken action on Cuba in several measures. In March, it approved three provisions in the FY2009 omnibus appropriations measure (P.L. 111-8) that eased sanctions on family travel, travel for the marketing of agricultural and medical goods, and payment terms for U.S. agricultural exports. In May, the Senate approved S.Res. 149, a human rights resolution. On July 16, 2009, the House approved H.R. 3170, the FY2010 Financial Services appropriations measure, with a provision defining the term "payment of cash in advance" related to payment for U.S. agricultural exports to; the pending Senate version, S. 1432, has an identical provision. With regard to Cuba broadcasting, H.R. 3081, passed by the House on July 9, would fully fund the Administration's request; the pending Senate version, S. 1434, would prohibit funding for TV Martí. On July 23, 2009, the Senate approved its version of the FY2010 defense authorization measure, H.R. 2647, with a required report on Cuba. Other initiatives that would ease sanctions are: H.R. 188, H.R. 1530 and H.R. 2272 (overall economic sanctions); H.R. 874/S. 428 and H.R. 1528 (travel); H.R. 332 (educational travel); H.R. 1531/S. 1089 (U.S. agricultural and medical exports and travel); H.R. 1737 (agricultural exports); and S. 774, H.R. 1918, and S. 1517 (hydrocarbon resources). H.R. 1103/S. 1234 would modify a provision of law restricting the registration or enforcement of certain Cuban trademarks. Measures that would increase sanctions are H.R. 2005 (related to fugitives) and H.R. 2687 (OAS participation), while H.Con.Res. 132 calls for the fulfillment of certain democratic conditions before the United States increases trade and tourism to Cuba. Also see CRS Report RL31139, Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances and CRS Report R40566, Cuban Migration to the United States: Policy and Trends.

Related Legislation:
• S.R.149
• H.R.3170
• S.1432
• H.R.3081
• S.1434
• H.R.2647
• H.R.188
• H.R.1530
• H.R.2272
• H.R.874
• S.428
• H.R.1528
• H.R.332
• H.R.1531
• S.1089
• H.R.1737
• S.774
• H.R.1918
• S.1517
• H.R.1103
• S.1234
• H.R.2005
• H.R.2687
• S.132

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