New Plan: $30 Million in #Democracy #Funds for #Cuba

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The House Appropriations Committee proposes boosting funds for Cuba democracy programs from $20 million to $30 million.

The committee's proposed fiscal year 2016 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill reads:

CUBA.—

(1) DEMOCRACY PROMOTION.— Of the funds appropriated by this Act under the heading ‘‘Economic Support Fund’’, $30,000,000 shall be made available to promote democracy and strengthen civil society in Cuba:
Provided, That no funds shall be obligated for business promotion, economic reform, entrepreneurship, or any other assistance that is not democracy-building as expressly authorized in the Cuban Liberty and Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 and the Cuban Democracy Act (CDA) of 1992.

(2) OFFICE OF CUBA BROADCASTING.—None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act under the heading ‘‘International Broadcasting Operations’’ may be used to establish an independent grantee organization, as a private nonprofit organization, to carry out any and all broadcasting and related programs to the Latin America and Caribbean region, including Cuba, or otherwise substantively alter the structure of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting unless specifically authorized by a subsequent act of Congress: Provided, That the prohibition of this paragraph shall be construed to include the merger of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting and the Voice of America Latin America Division.

(3) DIPLOMATIC FACILITIES.—
(A) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act or prior acts making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs may be obligated or expended—
(i) for the establishment or operations of a United States diplomatic presence, including an Embassy, Consulate, or liaison office, in Cuba beyond that which was in existence prior to December 17, 2014; or
(ii) to facilitate the establishment or operation of a diplomatic mission of Cuba, including an Embassy, Consulate, or liaison office, in the United States beyond that which was in existence prior to December 17, 2014.
(B) The prohibition of subparagraph (A) shall not apply if the President determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the government in Cuba has met the requirements and factors specified in section 205 of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (22 U.S.C. 6065).