DeLauro Announces Launch of the Cuba Working Group
WASHINGTON, DC (December 16, 2015) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today announced the launch of the Cuba Working Group, a bipartisan Congressional group that will promote a United States-Cuba policy that reflects the interests of the American people in engagement with Cuba.
"American interests are best served through greater engagement with Cuba. By developing relationships with the Cuban people, business sector, and other institutions, the U.S. can participate constructively in a peaceful transition to democracy and a market-oriented economy on the island," said Rosa DeLauro. "A new policy of engagement will not only provide an economic boost here at home, it will also help to advance the economic development and human rights of the Cuban people."
The group was announced in a letter to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. In the letter, members of the group note that the American people are increasingly indicating their desire for a new, more pragmatic approach to Cuba. 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 letter concludes, "Our goal is to raise the level of understanding inside of Congress for the need to build a new policy framework for U.S. and Cuban relations."
The bipartisan Cuba Working Group will convene meetings with leading experts on Cuba and foreign affairs, host policy roundtables and discussions, and will seek to draw attention to how reforms in the U.S. and Cuba are opening new opportunities for commercial, diplomatic, and people-to-people relationships.
The bipartisan Cuba Working Group steering committee members are: Kathy Castor (D-FL), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Sam Farr (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Ted Poe (R-TX), Reid Ribble (R-WI), Mark Sanford (R-SC), and Nydia Velázquez (D-NY).
The full letter is available here.
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