[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 102 (Wednesday, June 21, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H6164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    PROTECT THE ROLE OF CONGRESS IN UNITED STATES-CUBA NEGOTIATIONS

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, today I will introduce legislation to 
ensure that Congress maintains its proper role in the realm of foreign 
relations with the Communist Dictator Castro.
  In conjunction with similar legislation proposed by our Florida 
Senator Mack in the other Chamber, this bill will require that the 
President notify congressional leadership prior to any meetings with 
the Castro regime and that a timely report be made to the leadership 
with the results of any such negotiations.
  With a situation as delicate as negotiations with one of the last 
Communist regimes left in the world, it is essential that Congress be 
kept aware of any attempts made by the administration to legitimize the 
Castro government.
  Mr. Speaker, while I recognize that it is the preprogative of the 
President to conduct foreign affairs, it is also the responsibility of 
the President to keep Congress informed of his actions so that we might 
respond accordingly.
  I am pleased that I am able to introduce this bill with bipartisan 
support and would especially like to thank my colleagues from Florida, 
Ms. Ros-Lehtinen and Mr. Diaz-Balart for their support.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in making sure that the 
United States does not rush into a closer relationship with a Communist 
dictatorship without the elected representatives of the people being 
properly informed.

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