DEMOCRACIA Act
DEMOCRACIA Act
Plain Language Summary
# DEMOCRACIA Act Summary **What the Bill Does** The DEMOCRACIA Act would impose economic sanctions on foreign individuals and companies that do business with Cuba's government, particularly its military and defense sectors. It would also sanction anyone involved in human rights abuses in Cuba or helping the Cuban government violate U.S. trade restrictions. Additionally, the bill would create a government task force focused on helping Cuban citizens access uncensored internet and information. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily targets foreign companies and individuals—not U.S.
citizens—that conduct business with Cuban government entities. It could impact international businesses with ties to Cuba's military or intelligence operations. It may also indirectly affect Cuban citizens by potentially increasing their access to outside information, though the practical effectiveness of internet access efforts would depend on implementation. **Current Status** The bill was introduced by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) in the 119th Congress and remains in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. No action has been taken on it at this time.
CRS Official Summary
Denying Earnings to the Military Oligarchy in Cuba and Restricting Activities of the Cuban Intelligence Apparatus Act or the DEMOCRACIA ActThis bill provides for asset- and visa-blocking sanctions for conduct relating to Cuba. It also establishes an interagency task force to facilitate access to uncensored internet in Cuba.The President must sanction foreign persons that engage in a transaction with or provide financial, material, or technological support to certain entities or individuals, includingspecified Cuban government sectors (e.g., the defense sector);any other government sector that the President certifies is involved in human rights abuses or terrorism;foreign persons that are military contractors or mercenaries operating on behalf of the Cuban government; orforeign persons that violate laws restricting trade with Cuba.Other individuals or entities the President must sanction includeforeign persons responsible for or complicit in human rights abuses in Cuba;Cuban officials responsible for or complicit in corruption; andmembers of Cuba's Communist Party.The bill provides certain exceptions to these sanctions and the President may waive the sanctions in the interest of U.S. national security. The President may not license sanctionable conduct. U.S. persons seeking to engage in a sanctionable financial transaction must submit a written request to the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control.The authority to impose sanctions under this bill ends when the President certifies that the Cuban government has taken specified steps to promote political rights and freedoms and Congress enacts a joint resolution approving the certification.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.