[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 198 (Monday, November 15, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      REAFFIRMING COMMITMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY IN CUBA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 15, 2021

  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to provide context 
on my present vote on November 3rd for H. Res. 760. While I echo many 
of the sentiments in the resolution and appreciate Rep. Wasserman 
Schultz, Rep. Sires, and Rep. Diaz-Balart efforts to draw attention to 
the rights of the Cuban people to protest their government and to 
condemn the Cuban government for its repressive actions, I share the 
concerns of my colleagues that the resolution would perpetuate the 
isolation of Cuba that the Obama administration worked to reverse. I 
stand firmly behind the people of Cuba as they fight for their rights, 
which is why I did not vote against the bill.
  However, I believe that such a statement on U.S.-Cuba policy should 
also affirm a policy of engagement and reject the use of sanctions--
like those applied by the Trump administration--that hurt the Cuban 
people and do nothing to support their democratic aspirations. 
Furthermore, I was disappointed that this resolution was brought to the 
floor under suspension of the rules and did not go through a markup on 
the House Foreign Affairs Committee, preventing the opportunity to 
include language that underscores our commitment to finding real 
solutions to the current impasse in U.S.-Cuba policy.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues on a clear path forward 
that upholds human rights and democratic values while paving a way for 
practical engagement.

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