S. 1673 would facilitate the export of United States agricultural products to Cuba as authorized by the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000, it would remove impediments to the export to Cuba of medical devices and medicines, it would allow travel to Cuba by United States citizens, and it would establish an agricultural export promotion program with respect to Cuba.
Detailed Summary
Promoting American Agricultural and Medical Exports to Cuba Act of 2007 - Prohibits the President from restricting direct transfers from a Cuban depository institution to a U.S. depository institution in payment for a product authorized for sale under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000.
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide information and technical assistance to U.S. agricultural producers, cooperative organizations, or state agencies to promote U.S. agricultural exports products to Cuba.
Expresses the sense of Congress that temporary entry visas should be issued to Cuban nationals to facilitate purchase of U.S. agricultural products.
Amends the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 to repeal the prohibition on enforcement of rights to certain U.S. intellectual properties and such properties' transfer.
Prohibits the President from regulating or prohibiting travel to or from Cuba by U.S. citizens or legal residents, or any of the transactions ordinarily incident to such travel, and any regulation restricting or prohibiting such travel shall have no effect, relating to: (1) accompanied personal baggage; (2) payment of living expenses and the acquisition of personal-use goods or services; (3) travel arrangements; (4) nonscheduled air, sea, or land voyage transactions, (such provision does not permit the carriage of articles other than accompanied baggage into Cuba or the United States); and (5) normal banking transactions. States that such provision shall not apply in time of war or armed hostilities between the United States and Cuba, or of imminent danger to the public health or the physical safety of U.S. travelers.
Amends the Democracy Act of 1992 to repeal the requirement for onsite verification of certain medical exports to Cuba.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the airport ticket tax for transportation between the United States and Cuba by $1; and (2) establish in the Treasury the Agricultural Export Promotion Trust Fund.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 6/21/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Jorge Gonzalez
June 25, 2007, 7:59am (report abuse)S. 1673, introduced last week, is a much needed bill. Our failed Cuba policies of the last 48 years have accomplished nothing, other than put huge amount of taxpayer in the pockets of a vociferous and extremist lobby headquartered in Miami.
The U.S. has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of the Cuban people.
We need a new Good Neighbor Policy, one that is based in friendship and mutual respect and not in arrogance and bullying.
http://cubajournal.blogspot.com
Jorge Gonzalez
June 25, 2007, 8:03am (report abuse)After taxpayer, add the word money.