UPDATE ON US/CUBA POLICY: 7/6/2010 Support (HR 4645)
A LEGISLATIVE UPDATE ON US/CUBA POLICY: 7/6/2010
Last fall we asked you to contact your senators and reps to get the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act
(HR874/ S428) passed. Thanks to your stellar efforts, that bill now has 39 co‑sponsors in the Senate and 178 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives — but, thanks to a long list of crises on the Congressional agenda (jobs, economy, immigration, oil spill, etc.), movement on the bill has come to an unfortunate halt.
Now a new bill has emerged that combines freedom to travel with other legislation that would remove some of the draconian features of the US blockade that make it very difficult for US farmers to sell food to Cuba. The new bill is called the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act (HR 4645). The hope is that combining these different elements will give the bill broader appeal: it’s not just good for those of us who want to travel to Cuba — it’s good for US farmers! it’s good for US business! (it can lead the way to other sales — building supplies and construction equipment, for just one example); it’s good for the people of Cuba; it’s good for US/Cuba relations — and for US relations with all of Latin America; and it opens travel to the only nation in the world that our government bars its citizens from visiting.
With regard to the sale of farm products to Cuba, the truth is that Cuba has become a major market for US farmers — even with the US blockade firmly in place! But US farm sales to Cuba have declined precipitously in the past few years, because US farmers and agribusinesses are sick and tired of dealing with all the US government restrictions placed on their sales. Ending these draconian restrictions on the sale of food would relieve so much stress on our Cuban neighbors — and would also give a significant boost to the US economy.
This new bill, HR4645, survived a markup by the House Agriculture Committee on 6/30/10. Championed by Committee Chair Colin Peterson (D-MN), and in spite of heavy and well-funded lobbying against the bill, HR4645 was approved in committee by a 25-20 vote.
Once a bill is approved in committee, it can be brought to the House floor for a vote at any time.
THAT MEANS IT’S TIME FOR US TO GET BACK ON THE PHONE TO OUR REPS AND SENATORS.
Yes, all of us have been pushing and pushing for years now to end restrictions on travel to Cuba. And we must also let you know that we have been hearing from our friends in Congress that it’s “not quite time” to move forward with new Cuba legislation. But it’s urgent for each and every one of you to make a call to your rep and your senators. Let them know that, as their constituent, you feel that it’s not fair to wait any longer: this immoral blockade has already cost our Cuban sisters and brothers way too much — and it’s also costing us, here in the US! Let them know that changing US/Cuba policy is a PRIORITY; that easing the blockade on trade and travel would be a WIN-WIN situation!!! — and that we intend to keep the pressure on!
Ask your rep to co-sponsor HR4645. (And thank them if they have already signed on to the bill.)
Tell your rep and senators that it’s long past time to end restrictions on travel and trade to Cuba -- and to end the whole blockade!
Tell them to let the White House and the State Department know that it’s time to take Cuba off the list of nations that support terrorism!
Tell them to let the White House and the Justice Department know that it’s time to free the Cuban Five!
CONGRESSIONAL SWITCHBOARD: 202/225-3121
QUESTIONS? FEEDBACK? CALL IFCO: 212/926-5757
Thanks, as always, for your good work!
