[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BAUCUS (for himself, Mr. Crapo, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Roberts, 
        Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Bingaman, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Harkin, Mrs. 
        Murray, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Bond, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. 
        Wyden, Mr. Lugar, Mrs. McCaskill, and Mr. Enzi):
  S. 1089. A bill to facilitate the export of United States 
agricultural commodities and products to Cuba as authorized by the 
Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000, to establish 
an agricultural export promotion program with respect to Cuba, to 
remove impediments to the export to Cuba of medical devices and 
medicines, to allow travel to Cuba by United States citizens and legal 
residents, to establish an agricultural export promotion program with 
respect to Cuba, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, this Nation and this body have debated 
divisive trade issues for more than a century. In the 1820s, the 
cotton, indigo, and rice exporting southern States quarreled with 
northern States intent on protecting nascent manufacturing In the 
1930s, President Hoover's appeals to save American jobs brought the 
Smoot-Hawley tariff.
  Since the Second World War, America has moved to open the world's 
markets and our own. We are better for it. But divisive trade debates 
do and will continue. Few debates have been as long and contentious as 
those regarding our economic sanctions on Cuba.
  I am introducing legislation today to bring this divisive debate to 
an end. I do so not as an ideologue or a partisan. I am neither the 
Cuban government's friend nor its staunchest enemy. I instead am a 
Montanan. Like most Montanans, I take no pleasure in disagreement. Like 
most Montanans, I try to make a deal when I can. Like most Montanans, I 
stick to the facts.
  Here is how I see the facts. Opening Cuba to our exports means money 
in the pockets of farmers and ranchers across America. Lifting 
financing and other restrictions on U.S. agriculture could increase 
U.S. beef exports from states like Montana and Colorado from $1 million 
to as much as $13 million. Lifting these restrictions could allow 
agricultural exporters in States like North Dakota and Arkansas to 
obtain nearly 70 percent of Cuba's wheat market, nearly 40 percent of 
its rice market, and more than 90 percent of its poultry market. 
Lifting these restrictions could allow America's farmers and ranchers 
to export as much as $1.2 billion in total agricultural goods to Cuba.
  The facts also show that European and other exporters already reap 
these benefits. Europe has scrapped its Cuba sanctions. Just last week, 
EU officials were in Havana calling for full normalization of ties. 
Those officials made no secret of wanting to solidify ties with Cuba 
now to get the jump on the U.S.
  Those are the facts as I see them. But that is not all I see. I am 
not blind to the Cuban people's suffering or the crimes of their 
government. I am not deaf to the calls for political and religious 
freedom just 90 miles off our shores. But I also see that increased 
trade ties historically have led to improved political ties, whether 
between Argentina and Brazil in this hemisphere or between former rival 
nations in Europe.
  Am I certain that increased trade will improve our political ties 
with Cuba? I am not. But I am certain that we have had these sanctions 
in place for over 5 decades. I am certain that five decades of 
sanctions have made no Cuban freer, no nation more prosperous, and no 
government more democratic. I am certain that one side has gotten its 
chance and its way. I am certain that the status quo must now change.
  Here is how I propose to change our status quo with Cuba. My bill, 
which 15 other Democratic and Republic Senators have joined, would help 
U.S. farmers and ranchers sell their products to Cuba by facilitating 
cash payment for agricultural goods, authorizing direct transfers 
between U.S. and Cuban banks, and creating a U.S. agricultural export 
promotion fund. This bill also eases restrictions on exports of 
medicines and medical devices. It allows all Americans to travel to 
Cuba--not just one particular group.
  John Stuart Mill wrote that ``Commerce first taught nations to see 
with goodwill the wealth and prosperity of one another. Before, the 
patriot . . . wished all countries weak, poor, and ill-governed but his 
own . . .'' For too long, America has stood atop our barricade of 
sanctions and looked down upon a weak, poor, and ill-governed Cuba. Let 
us now open our commerce with Cuba. Let us wish them wealth, 
prosperity, and an abundance of all that we value and hold dear in 
America.
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