1ST CONGRESS

1ST SESSION

H.R. 17
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SEC. 3. REPEAL OF ALL SECTIONS OF U.S. CODE RELATING TO THE RESTRICTION OF ECONOMIC AND DIPLOMATIC (A) It is in the interest of the United States to ensure that bilateral economic ties with Cuba are strong, robust, and diverse, in part because the Cuban nation possesses -(a) great pent-up consumer demand and untapped human, natural, and commodity resources considered part of a next frontier economy. (b) significant investment opportunities for American companies and their related subsidiaries. (c) notable local consumer goods demanded by the American public - tourism and tobacco products, most notably.

To advance the mutual interests of the United States and Cuba, forthwith declaring an end to any and all sanctions and embargos delineated in U.S. Code; and recognizing the Communist Party of Cuba as the ruling party of the Cuban people.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

DECEMBER, 1, 2012 Mr. BLAIS 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.

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A BILL
To advance the mutual interests of the United States and Cuba, forthwith declaring an end to any and all sanctions and embargos delineated in U.S. Code; and recognizing the Communist Party of Cuba as the ruling party of the Cuban people.

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RELATIONS WITH THE CUBAN STATE AND PEOPLE. (1) Congress shall strike the following provisions from relevant code: (A) 18 U.S.C. 2332D (B) 22 U.S.C. 2370(a) (C) 22 U.S.C. 6001-6010 (D) 31 U.S.C. 321(b) (E) U.S.C. App 1-44 (F) Pub.L 101-410, 104 Stat. 890, (28 U.S.C. 2461) (G) Pub.L 104-114, 110 Stat. 785 (22 U.S.C. 6082) (H) Pub.L 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681 (I) Pub.L 106-387, 114 Stat. 1549 (J) Pub.L 111-8, 123 Stat. 524

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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the Cuban Diplomatic and Economic Freedom Act. SEC. 2. DECLARATIONS OF POLICY (1) Congress makes the following declarations of policy:

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SEC. 5. SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR UNITED STATES-CUBA TRADE, DEVELOPMENT, AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President shall appoint a Special Representative for United States-Cuba SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICIAL DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS AND RECOGNIZING THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF CUBA. (1) In accordance with 22 USC Chapter 8, the United States shall establish Embassy and Consular presence in Havana and Santiago de Cuba, respectively. Furthermore - in accordance with 22 USC Chapter 14 - an appropriate diplomatic corp shall immediately be appointed to represent the interests of the United States in Cuba. (2) The United States and her representatives will forthwith open official talks with the Communist Party of Cuba. The United States will hereafter recognize the Communist Party of Cuba as the legitimate governing body of the Cuban people. (K) Executive Order 9193, 7 F.R. 5205, 3 CFR, 1938-1943 Comp., p. 1174 (L) Executive Order 9989, 13 F.R. 4891, 3 CFR 1943-1948 Comp., p. 748 (M) Proc. 3447, 27 F.R. 1085 3 CFR 1959-1963 Comp., p.157 (N) Executive Order 12854, 58 F.R. 36587, 3 CFR, 1993 Comp., p 614 (2) All other relevant code shall, notwithstanding, be modified to reflect above changes.

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SEC. 6. ESTABLISHMENT OF CUSTOMS DUTIES (1) In accordance with Chapter 19 of the U.S.C., the United States shall levy a duty in the amount of 3%. (2) Congress shall review the duty rate annually for until 2022. Trade, Development, and Economic Affairs, to report the the Office of the United States Trade Representative. (A) Duties, Responsibilities, and Functions. (i) The Special Representative shall coordinate and oversee government and private investment in coordinating and

convening a permanent interagency United States-Cuba Trade and Development Action Group, which shall include

representatives from Dept. of State, Trade and Development Agency, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, ExportImport Bank of the United States, the United States Agency for International Development, Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Commerce, Dept. of Energy, the Small Business Administration, Dept. of Defense, and any other agency the Special

Representative determines appropriate. (ii) Designing and implementing public outreach, education, and liaison programs intended to foster United States-Cuban economic, technical, social, and cultural ties. (iii) Facilitating and increasing the number of international learning exchange, professional, training, and educational

programs between Cuba and the United States, particularly programs intended to promote trade, economic growth, or socioeconomic development.

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SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF FUNDING. (1) From amounts appropriated or otherwise made available for Diplomatic and Consular Programs for fiscal years 2012 through 2016, $5,000,000 for each such fiscal year is

authorized to be made to carry out this Act.