[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 186 (Thursday, December 31, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CALLING FOR AN END TO THE TRADE EMBARGO WITH CUBA

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 31, 2015

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for the 
continued normalization of relations with Cuba and ending the embargo. 
Today marks the one year anniversary since the historic announcement by 
President Obama that the Cold War relations between the U.S. and Cuba 
were officially coming to an end.
  The reestablishment of diplomatic relations and increase in travel, 
commerce, information flows, and research collaboration will improve 
the lives of both the Cuban and American people. In the past year we 
have seen remarkable progress. Cuba has been removed from the list of 
state sponsors of terror, so that the State Department can more 
appropriately focus its resources on countries and regions where 
counter-terrorism efforts are critical. Embassies have been reopened in 
Washington and Havana. The Treasury and Commerce Departments continue 
to implement changes to make it easier to travel between our nations.
  These efforts are critical steps to improve relations between the 
United States and the Cuban people but more must be done. The trade 
embargo, in place since 1960, must come to an end. This misguided 
policy to pressure the Cuban government into democracy has clearly 
failed. The President has pursued normalization of relations to the 
greatest extent possible under the law. Now, Congress must act.
  Removing the embargo with Cuba could generate up to $365 million in 
additional American goods and would help to create thousands of new 
jobs in the United States, according to a study by Texas A&M 
University.
  Last year on official visit to the island nation, I saw firsthand the 
innovative power of Cuban entrepreneurs, especially women who are 
opening small businesses, restaurants, and shops for the first time 
across the island. We can and should continue to build momentum for 
economic liberalization so that these women can access the tools and 
capital they need to expand and grow their enterprises.
  I am proud to be a founding member of the re-launched bipartisan Cuba 
Working Group steering committee. It is time to support the Cuban 
people and create jobs here in the United States. I urge action in this 
body to remove the embargo so that we can fully engage with our 
neighbors across the Straits of Florida.

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