22 U.S.C. § 6085 — Effective date

(a) In general. Unless subsection (b) or (c) provides otherwise, this subchapter and its amendments take effect on August 1, 1996.

(b) Suspension authority. (1) The President may delay that effective date for up to 6 months if the President decides, and reports in writing to the appropriate congressional committees^* at least 15 days before the date, that the delay is needed for the national interests of the United States and will speed Cuba’s transition to democracy. (2) The President may order further delays of up to 6 months each. Each must start the day after the previous delay ends. At least 15 days before each further delay starts, the President must decide and report in writing to the appropriate congressional committees that the delay is needed for the national interests of the United States and will speed that transition.

(c) Other authorities. (1) Suspension. After this subchapter and its amendments take effect, (A) no person^* may acquire a property^* interest in a possible or pending action under this subchapter; and (B) the President may suspend the right to bring an action under this subchapter concerning confiscated property for up to 6 months if the President decides, and reports in writing to the appropriate congressional committees at least 15 days before the suspension starts, that it is needed for the national interests of the United States and will speed Cuba’s transition to democracy. (2) The President may order further suspensions of up to 6 months each. Each must start the day after the prior suspension ends, and the President must make and report the same determination at least 15 days beforehand. (3) These suspensions do not affect suits begun before the suspension. Those suits continue, including proceedings, appeals, and judgments, as though there had been no suspension.

(d) Rescission of suspension. The President may cancel a suspension under subsection (b) or (c) after reporting to the appropriate congressional committees that cancellation will speed Cuba’s transition to democracy.