On the one-year anniversary of the U.S. taking a big step toward normalizing relations with Cuba, a dozen lawmakers are creating a new coalition dedicated to furthering the relationship that was frozen for more than 50 years.
“Increasingly, the American people are indicating their desire for a new, more pragmatic approach to Cuba,” the 12-member steering committee wrote to Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in a letter dated Wednesday. “More people are traveling from the U.S. to Cuba, more businesses are looking for opportunity on the island, and more sectors are eager for trade. The bipartisan Cuba Working Group will promote a U.S.-Cuba policy that reflects the interests of the American people in engagement with Cuba.”
None of the 12 House members forming the group that officially launches on Thursday are Cuban American. The Cuban-American contingent in Congress vehemently opposes normalizing relations with the communist island nation, and for years successfully blocked legislation to end the travel embargo and take other steps toward opening channels between the two countries.
Republicans in the group are Reps. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Rick Crawford of Arkansas, Tom Emmer of Minnesota, Ted Poe of Texas, Reid Ribble of Wisconsin and Mark Sanford and South Carolina. Democratic members are Reps. Kathy Castor of Florida, Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Sam Farr of California, Barbara Lee of California, Jim McGovern of Massachusetts and Nydia Velazquez of New York.
“Our goal is to raise the level of understanding inside of Congress for the need to build a new policy framework for U.S.-Cuban relations,” the group wrote.
Commemorating the anniversary, Jeffrey DeLaurentis, chief of the U.S. mission to Cuba, said the year-long effort to normalize relations is progressing well but that significant outstanding issues remain, such as the human rights concerns often vocalized by Cuban-American lawmakers.
“One of the president’s goals in announcing the new approach to Cuba was to promote increased authorized travel, commerce and the flow of information to the Cuban people,” he said during a press call on Tuesday. “In that regard, we have seen an increase in authorized travel by U.S. citizens by over 50 percent. Our regulatory changes help promote a Cuban private sector that now accounts for at least one-in-four Cuban workers. And Cuba recently signed roaming agreements with two U.S. companies that promote the flow of information.”
But “on challenging matters such as property claims, fugitives, and human rights, we have started the process of exchanging views with Cuba and expect to continue in the new year,” he said. Secretary of State John Kerry “noted during the flag-raising ceremony in August, normalization will not happen overnight.”
