# Understanding the FORCE Act

Cuba is currently on the U.S. government's official list of countries that sponsor terrorism. This bill would lock Cuba into that designation and prevent any president or Secretary of State from removing the country from that list unless very specific conditions are met first. Essentially, it takes away the executive branch's flexibility to change this classification on their own.

The bill references a 1996 law called the LIBERTAD Act, which set out particular requirements that would need to be satisfied before Cuba could be removed from the terrorism sponsor list. Those requirements include things like Cuba holding democratic elections, releasing political prisoners, and respecting human rights. By passing this bill, Congress would be saying that no matter what happens in the future, the president cannot simply decide to take Cuba off the terrorism list without meeting those exact conditions from the 1996 law.

Why does this matter? Being on the terrorism sponsor list has real consequences. It triggers automatic sanctions and restrictions on trade, financial transactions, and aid to that country. It also affects how other countries interact with Cuba and can limit American businesses from doing certain types of commerce there. This bill essentially makes it harder for future administrations to normalize relations with Cuba or ease restrictions, even if they believe the political situation there has changed enough to warrant it.

For most Americans, this is primarily a foreign policy issue that affects how the U.S. relates to Cuba and what kinds of trade or travel might be possible. For Cuban-Americans and those with family ties to Cuba, it could significantly impact their ability to do business with or send money to the island.

FORCE Act

Salazar, Maria Elvira

Fighting Oppression until the Reign of Castro Ends Act or the FORCE Act This bill prohibits removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism until the President makes the determination that a transition government in Cuba is in power.