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H.R.611 / 104th Congress

Free and Independent Cuba Assistance Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 20, 1995

Free and Independent Cuba Assistance Act - Requires the President, at such time as a transition government is in power in Cuba, to develop a plan for providing economic assistance to Cuba while such government or a democratic government is in power. Limits assistance for a transition government to humanitarian assistance, specified assistance comparable to that provided under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for the economic and democratic development of the independent states of the former Soviet Union, and military adjustment assistance. Expands assistance to include development and agricultural assistance and export financing (as well as other specified assistance) when a democratic government is in power. Requires the President to take steps to obtain the agreement of other countries, international financial institutions, and multilateral organizations to provide comparable assistance to Cuba. Directs the President to determine whether to designate Cuba as a beneficiary country pursuant to the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act. Requires the President to seek to enter into preliminary agreements with a transition government in Cuba providing for trade with and investment in Cuba. Authorizes the President to enter into negotiations with a democratic government in Cuba to provide for the extension of the North American Free Trade Agreement to Cuba and to encourage renewed investment in Cuba. Directs the President to communicate the plan for assistance to the Cuban people. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the President to terminate the trade embargo on Cuba upon submitting a determination that a democratic government is in power in Cuba to the Congress. Sets forth conditions under which a government in Cuba will be considered transitional or democratic.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-13] · D–NJ

Committees

  • Foreign Affairs Committee
  • Financial Services Committee
  • Agriculture Committee
  • Ways and Means Committee
18 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere.

  3. Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy.

  4. Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.

  5. Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

  6. Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Banking and Financial Services, and Agriculture, 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.

  7. Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Banking and Financial Services, and Agriculture, 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.

  8. Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Banking and Financial Services, and Agriculture, 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.

  9. Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Banking and Financial Services, and Agriculture, 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.

  10. Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Banking and Financial Services, and Agriculture, 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.

  11. Introduced in House

  12. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.611 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.611 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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