[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S183-S184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  COMMENDING THE ACTIONS OF CUBAN HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST 
   JOSE DANIEL FERRER GARCIA, AND ALL PRO-DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS 
    ACTIVISTS, IN DEMANDING FUNDAMENTAL CIVIL LIBERTIES IN CUBA AND 
   SPEAKING OUT AGAINST CUBA'S BRUTAL, TOTALITARIAN COMMUNIST REGIME

  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam President, yesterday marked 6 months 
since July 11--a day when brave Cubans all across that island marched 
for democracy, cried out for freedom, and sent a clear message that the 
time was up for the illegitimate communist regime.
  From Havana to Santa Clara to Santiago de Cuba, the message of 
``Patria y Vida!'' could be heard from the people. Cuban families and 
demonstrators stood against the revolution's motto of ``Patria o 
Muerte'' to once again declare that the revolution had failed.
  That failed revolution promised prosperity and equality for all, but 
the only equal thing about it was poverty, suffering, and oppression 
for all. We watched as families gathered outside the headquarters of 
the Cuban Communist Party to chant ``Cuba isn't yours!'' Their message 
was clear: It is time for a new day of freedom and democracy in Cuba.
  Instead of listening to the cries of their people, the communist 
Cuban regime lashed out with violence and the oppression it has used 
for more than 60 years to silence opposition to its reign. The regime 
and its thugs kidnapped innocent democracy activists and kept others 
trapped in their homes. Right now, hundreds of Cubans have been 
indefinitely detained or unjustly sentenced to prison simply for 
demanding basic human rights.
  Some of these protesters are facing prison sentences as long as 30 
years. One of them is Jose Daniel Ferrer, the leader of the pro-
democracy UNPACU group and a dedicated freedom and human rights 
activist. Since his detainment, I have had the chance to talk to his 
family several times. Each time we speak, the stories they tell me are 
more heartbreaking.
  Jose Daniel is being tortured by the communist regime in an attempt 
to end his life. He is suffering from severe headaches, mouth bleeding, 
malnutrition, cough, and insomnia--all products of the cruel torture 
and inhumane treatment from the regime.
  We can also think about Felix Navarro, another longtime freedom 
activist who helps lead a pro-democracy group on the island. He was 
arrested, not for demonstrating but for asking police about the status 
of some of the members of his group who had been detained.
  Reports indicate even young teenagers are being detained 
indefinitely.
  The unjust imprisonment, beatings, and torture of the Cuban people is 
abhorrent. It is inhumane, and it cannot be tolerated. It is clear that 
these actions stem from the regime's paralyzing fear over the freedom 
movement spreading across Cuba. They are terrified that there is a new 
day of freedom on the rise for the Cuban people, so they resort to 
total oppression and to the silencing of any mention of independence or 
freedom.
  As the greatest beacon of freedom and democracy in the world, the 
United States must stand against the communist regime and with the 
Cuban people. I am thankful that U.S. Assistant Secretary of State 
Brian Nichols recently called for the immediate release of the July 11 
demonstrators. Along with his calls, we need the voices of President 
Biden and Secretary Blinken, and their calls need to be coupled with 
action that actually pressures the illegitimate communist Cuban regime 
now.
  It was only a couple of weeks ago when I called the White House to 
talk about the case of Jose Daniel Ferrer. The first time I called, 
they asked me to leave a message, so I did. When I called the next day, 
the White House hung up on me.
  Throughout his entire first year in office, Joe Biden has been 
shamefully silent about Cuba. Just like he does with communist China, 
Biden's strategy on Cuba is to do the bare minimum. Even while the 
protests were ongoing, he did nothing to alleviate the suffering of the 
Cuban people.
  Compare that to the Organization of American States. After I spoke 
with them a few weeks ago, Secretary General Luis Almagro issued a 
statement demanding the immediate release of all arbitrarily imprisoned 
political prisoners. He expressed special concern for the well-being of 
Jose Daniel Ferrer and urged the Cuban regime to allow a humanitarian 
mission that can immediately verify the state and situation of 
political prisoners in the country.
  Why can't Joe Biden make that same request? Where is the President? 
He has had 6 months to help provide internet to the Cuban people to 
help disseminate information and help the freedom movement, but he has 
done nothing. His silence is appeasement, and those of us who love 
freedom will not simply sit by idly while he refuses to act.
  As long as the illegitimate communist Cuban regime continues to deny 
the people their freedom, democracy, and basic human rights, I am going 
to fight alongside them and demand action.
  Today, the Senate can do something. Today, the U.S. Senate can pass a 
resolution honoring Cuban activists like Jose Daniel Ferrer, condemning 
the Cuban dictatorship's repression, and calling for the international 
community to stand with the Cuban people. I have introduced a 
resolution that does exactly that, and it is something that everyone in 
the Chamber should agree with.
  I am thankful for Senators Marco Rubio and Mike Braun for 
cosponsoring this resolution. I am also thankful for Mario Diaz-Balart, 
Congresswoman Salazar, and Congressman Gimenez for introducing the 
companion resolution in the House.
  We must make sure our message to the Cuban people is clear: America 
has not and will not forget you. We have seen your bravery and courage. 
We have heard your calls for freedom. You have risked everything for 
the freedom of Cubans across the island. You are an inspiration to us 
all.
  I ask unanimous consent to address the Senate in Spanish.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Ossoff). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  (English translation of the statements made in Spanish are as 
follows:)

       We must make sure our message to the Cuban people is clear: 
     America has not and will not forget you.
       We have seen your bravery and courage. We have heard your 
     calls for freedom.
       You have risked everything for the freedom of Cubans across 
     the island. You are an inspiration to us all.

  Mr. President, as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent 
that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 489, which is 
at the desk. I further ask that the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered 
made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  The Senator from New Jersey.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, let me 
first say that I rise, in the first instance, before having heard the 
Senator's remarks, to say that I have serious concerns about the junior 
Senator from Florida's lack of respect for the regular order of the 
Senate.
  On July 11, 2021, the Cuban people took to the streets in 
unprecedented protests, demanding democracy and the end of decades of 
dictatorship. Subsequently, the Senate came together in unanimous 
consent to pass my S. Res. 310. My bipartisan legislation expressed our 
unwavering solidarity with the Cuban people and called for the release 
of all political prisoners detained unjustly by the Diaz-Canel regime.
  My legislation was the result of bipartisan negotiations, and it was 
approved unanimously by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. That is 
what regular order looks like, and it is a process that strengthens the 
impact of our work on foreign policy when we can speak together in one 
voice to promote that foreign policy, whether it is to the Cuban regime 
or whether it is in any other place in the world.
  Now, I need to make the point that the junior Senator from Florida 
routinely disregards this process. In this particular case, not only 
has this resolution not been marked up by the Senate Foreign Relations 
Committee, not only is it not bipartisan--as far as I know, nobody has 
been offered even the

[[Page S184]]

opportunity to join it--but it hasn't even been introduced so that the 
Parliamentarian would decide where it would be sent to committee for 
referral for consideration. It hasn't even been introduced. It has not 
received the review it deserves. In fact, it has not received any 
formal review.
  As I have repeatedly said as the chairman of the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee, I stand ready to work with any Member--and have 
done so--on initiatives that advance the national security interests of 
the United States and the defense of democracy and human rights. While 
there may be some urgent moments that require us to move legislation 
directly to the floor, regular order exists for a reason--to facilitate 
consensus and ensure that the legislation we consider on the floor 
reflects the input and expertise of Senators who sit on the relevant 
committees of jurisdiction.

  Now, I have spent the last several days listening to my Republican 
colleagues talk about the fullness of legislative debate, of not 
preempting legislative debate, of not preempting prolonged legislative 
debate in the context of the filibuster. Here is a piece of legislation 
that hasn't even been introduced, but it is being brought directly to 
the floor. How does that promote legislative debate? It doesn't. It 
doesn't.
  I happen to agree with the Senator about his focus here as it relates 
to those who are struggling inside of Cuba to create freedom, but I 
want to send a clarion message that I will not simply allow legislation 
that is in the purview of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to 
come directly to the floor without even an introduction, without 
review, without any debate, and then believe that one will just allow 
it to go through on unanimous consent. That is not how the Senate 
works.
  I would urge the junior Senator from Florida to consider this for 
future legislative endeavors, especially as we are also concerned about 
the filibuster and extended debate. Well, this is the worst example of 
not having extended debate.
  Lastly, I deeply disagree with the Senator's characterization--I 
wasn't even going to reference it--in having listened to his remarks, 
about the Biden administration. The Biden administration sanctioned 
individuals in Cuba, high-ranking individuals of the Cuban military, 
who have never been sanctioned before. The Biden administration led a 
multilateral effort for the condemnation of what happened in Cuba as a 
result of the citizens of Cuba seeking to simply redress their 
grievances against the dictatorship that exists there, and brought in 
countries that have never ever expressed themselves in such a way 
before. The Biden administration worked with the Secretary General of 
the OAS to take the strong position that the Senator referred to.
  So I hate to say it, but this almost comes across as a naked, 
political, partisan effort to try to promote some perspective when, in 
fact, we should be embracing this together through regular order, in a 
bipartisan process, which the Cuban people, particularly those 
suffering inside of Cuba, deserve. However, because of this particular 
moment and at this particular time and having given the Senator good 
notice about other future endeavors--this is not the first time--I will 
not object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 489) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Florida.
  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I am glad to see this resolution 
pass.
  I want to thank my colleagues, Senators Marco Rubio and Mike Braun, 
for cosponsoring this resolution and Congressman Diaz-Balart, 
Congresswoman Salazar, and Congressman Gimenez for supporting this 
resolution in the House.
  In my roles as a U.S. Senator and the Governor of Florida, I have had 
the honor of meeting and speaking with countless Cubans who have risked 
their lives to flee Castro's brutal regime. Many of them came here with 
nothing, scarred by the oppression of the regime but hopeful for a new 
life. With what little they had, they started businesses and families 
and built thriving communities and are a major part of the economy of 
Florida.
  We have all seen their resolve to fight for freedom, support their 
families, and contribute to their communities. They are an example of 
the American dream and a testimony to the ills of communism and 
socialism. The Cuban people are a source of inspiration for all of us. 
They show us what can be accomplished when you have freedom and 
opportunity.
  That is why we continue to fight for the end of communism in Cuba and 
for the freedom and liberties of every Cuban family. It is why we 
should all join them and say ``Abajo la Dictadura!'' ``Patria, vida y 
Libertad!''

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