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H.R. 22To end the embargo against Cuba, to normalize relations with

the Cuban nation and for other purposes.

_____________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

OCTOBER, 31, 2012

Mr. BLAYDES introduced the following bill; which was referred

to the Committee on Foreign Affairs for a period to be

subsequently determined by the Speaker, for consideration of

such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee

concerned.

_____________________

A BILLTo end the embargo against Cuba, to normalize relations with

the Cuban nation and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of1

Representatives of the United States of America in2

Congress assembled,3

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.4

This act may be cited as the "Freedom to Trade5

Act".6

SEC. 2. Findings7

8

The Congress makes the following findings:9

1. The trade embargo placed on the nation and people of Cuba10

has failed to enact meaningful change in the nation's11

government while negatively affecting the people.12

1STCONGRESS1STSESSION

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2. The threat to national security posed by Cuba is currently at13

an all time low.14

3. Considerable damage, both economic and cultural is being15

done to both the American and Cuban people by the continued16

existence of the embargo.17

4. The Cuban government has taken measures, however18

conciliatory, to increase freedom for both the Cuban people and19

others who would visit.20

5. The embargo has only allowed to Cuban government to21

blame lack of progress on the embargo in question.22

6. The impetus for the implementation of the embargo relied on23

Cold War politics vastly out of touch with the international24

political situation in this 53rd year of the embargo.25

7. The international community has repeatedly condemned the26

embargo; the UN General Assembly has passed a resolution27

condemning the embargo every year since the formalization of28

the embargo with the creation of the Cuban Democracy Act of29

1992 and the Helms-Burton Act of 1996.30

31

Definitions32

As used in this Act the following terms have the following33

meanings:34

(1) Normalization refers to the establishment of a Cuba-35

US relationship as similar as possible to that of other nations in36

trade, diplomacy and all parts of international relations. This37

would imply the end of such legislation as the Cuban38

Democracy Act of 1992 and the Helms-Burton act of 1996.39

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(2) The Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 codified the total40

trade embargo Cuba that has existed in practice since 1961,41

the act also provides for sanctions against any nation that42

would seek to trade with Cuba as well as forbids (in stipulated43

circumstances) the distribution of humanitarian aid in the form44

of medicine or food to the Cuban people.45

(3) The Helms-Burton Act (The Cuban Liberty and46

democratic Solidarity Acto) of 1996 strengthens the legislation47

first introduced in the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992. The act48

also provides for state funded radio and television broadcast49

from the United States to Cuba.50

51

Statement of Policy52

53

It should be the policy of the United States --54

1. to facilitate effective, equal communication between the55

people and government of Cuba, free from the shackles of Cold56

War paranoia so as to better both nations;57

2. to normalize relations with the Cuban government to58

increase prosperity for both of our nations;59

3. to hasten and encourage the reforms that already have60

occurred in Cuba;61

4. to allow for the development of free-market trade between62

Cuba and the United States;63

5. to deny the Cuban government the ability to blame problems64

on American economic embargo;65

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6. to encourage economic growth of both countries while66

demonstrating the benefits of an economy dependant on the67

people and ingenuity of our two nations;68

7. to establish an American policy towards a Cuba unfortunately69

but realistically ruled by the Castro regime in opposition to the70

past policy of righteous indignation;71

8. to provide for the unconditional availability of emergency72

medicine, food, and water to the people of Cuba as provided to73

any other nation.74

75

76

International Cooperation77

78

In passing this act the United States recognizes79

(1) More that twenty years of both United Nation and80

European Union opposition to the embargo;81

(2) Legislation by both Canada and Mexico that has aimed to82

reduce the tertiary damage to their own (politically uninvolved)83

nations.84

85

86

Effective Date87

88

This title shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this89

Act.90

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