DeLauro, Lee, McGovern Lead 43 Members of Congress Supporting Administration Decision to Remove Cuba from State Sponsors Of Terror List

WASHINGTON, DC—Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Jim McGovern (D-MA) today led 43 members of Congress in expressing support for the Administration’s decision to remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terror List. The letter to President Obama can be read in its entirety here.

“When Cuba was first designated a state sponsor of terrorism in 1982, it was an ally of the Soviet Union and actively supported revolutionary movements in Latin America and Africa that sought to overthrow the existing governments through armed struggle,” they wrote. “The world is a very different place today. The U.S. government concluded two decades ago that Cuba is not a military threat to the United States, a finding that has been affirmed time and again, by high-ranking military officers both active duty and retired.

“Over the years, reports by the State Department on the State Sponsors of Terrorism have found no evidence or indication that Cuba provides weapons or training to terrorists,” they continued. “In fact, Cuba now meets global standards for fighting money-laundering and preventing terrorist finance, in addition to playing an active role in bringing Colombia’s civil war to an end… The United States has fundamental disagreements with Cuba about its political and economic system. Removing impediments to restoring full diplomatic relations is the proper course forward because it will position the United States to deal with Cuba’s government directly on solving problems like the need to get U.S. fugitives returned to the United States and advancing the democratic aspirations the Cuban people. We stand with you in support of the decision you have made.”

DeLauro, Lee and McGovern have made multiple trips to Cuba and are longtime proponents of ending the current trade embargo. All three representatives are members of the bipartisan Cuban Working Group.


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