United States-Cuba Normalization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2966
Sponsor: Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1]
Introduced: 2017-06-20 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Agricultural trade
Caribbean area
Cuba
Currency
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign and international banking
Government liability
Health care coverage and access
Human rights
Intellectual property
International exchange and broadcasting
Latin America
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Normal trade relations, most-favored-nation treatment
Property rights
Sanctions
Trade restrictions
Travel and tourism
U.S. and foreign investments
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: 

United States-Cuba Normalization Act of 2017
 
This bill repeals the embargo on trade with Cuba. 
The bill: (1) makes ineffective certain prohibitions on exports to Cuba; (2) extends nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations) to Cuban products; (3) prohibits regulation or banning of travel to and from Cuba, or of any transactions incident to such travel, by U.S. citizens or residents; and (4) repeals the President's authority to continue direct restrictions on trade with Cuba. 
The President shall take steps necessary to: (1) conduct negotiations with Cuba on settling claims of U.S. nationals for the taking of property by the Cuban government, and (2) engage in bilateral dialogue with Cuba on securing the protection of internationally recognized human rights.
The President may establish specified export controls and trade restrictions with respect to Cuba as of the effective date of this bill. 
 The President may impose export controls and exercise certain emergency economic authorities with respect to Cuba only if there is an unusual threat to U.S. national security. 
 The bill repeals: (1) the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, (2) the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996, (3) the prohibition against allocation of the annual sugar quota to a country unless such country verifies that it does not import Cuban sugar for reexport to the United States, and (4) the prohibition on transactions or payments respecting certain U.S. intellectual property. 
 Cuba is removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism subject to agricultural and medical export restrictions. 
Common carriers may provide telecommunications services, including installations and repairs, between the United States and Cuba. 
 The Department of the Treasury may not limit the amount of remittances to Cuba that may be made by any person subject to U.S. jurisdiction. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
action_date: 2017-06-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection.
action_date: 2017-06-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, the Judiciary, Agriculture, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, the Judiciary, Agriculture, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, the Judiciary, Agriculture, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, the Judiciary, Agriculture, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, the Judiciary, Agriculture, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, the Judiciary, Agriculture, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Introduced in House