[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 25, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H2928-H2929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    DO NOT FORGET THE CRISIS IN CUBA

  (Mr. McGovern of Massachusetts was recognized to address the House 
for 5 minutes.)
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the United 
States' policy toward Cuba.
  There are many crises in the world, like Iran. One crisis that does 
not get enough attention is the humanitarian one in Cuba today, with 
its hunger and deprivation.
  To many, the word ``Cuba'' invokes politics. Oftentimes, a topic that 
politicians use to demagogue in U.S. elections for political advantage. 
However, Cuba is an island of 10 million human beings. They are people 
like you and me with families and with hopes for a better future.
  There is no doubt that the aspirations of the people of Cuba are 
stymied by their own government. It denies them fundamental human 
rights. It does not meet their basic needs. It must do better, much 
better, to listen to what people are asking for and address their 
concerns in a real way, and our government in the United States isn't 
helping. In fact, we make the lives of the Cuban people worse, a lot 
worse.
  I have visited Cuba many times as a Member of Congress. I have met 
with Cubans in their homes and have talked to them in their own 
communities. I can tell you firsthand that the U.S. embargo is harmful 
to the people of Cuba. It denies them food, medicine, and basic goods. 
It contributes to hunger and human misery. It is a driver of migration 
from the island.

                              {time}  1030

  U.S. policy toward Cuba fails to see the Cuban people as human 
beings. Too often, politicians here treat Cubans as commodities, as 
props in their political arguments. This is dehumanizing.
  It has gotten worse under President Trump. Cubans were once welcomed 
with open arms into the United States, even given preferential 
treatment not available to others fleeing dire conditions. No more. 
Cuban immigrants are equally at risk under the Trump administration's 
cruelty-first policies.
  A half million Cuban immigrants are currently in the United States 
under parole. An additional 110,000 Cubans entered the U.S. legally 
under the CHNV humanitarian parole program, but the Trump 
administration eliminated CHNV. Most Cubans are not eligible to adjust 
their status and are at risk of being sent back to Cuba. The Trump 
administration is adding to the humanitarian crisis.
  I am disappointed in many of my colleagues on the other side of the 
aisle. They continue to defend the U.S. embargo and the status quo. 
They claim that they want to force the Cuban Government to treat its 
own people better, yet now when they have a chance to speak out against 
the Trump administration's callous indifference to the welfare of the 
Cuban people or even advance policies that will improve the lives of 
Cubans on the island, these same people are silent. I find that 
shameful.
  In the past, whether our policy was more relaxed or tightened, our 
government maintained consultations with Cuban officials to manage 
migration, but the Trump administration has closed even that door, 
turning off a basic level of dialogue.

[[Page H2929]]

  None of this makes sense. Tightening sanctions increases suffering, 
which drives people to our shores and to the border, but the 
administration won't even talk to Cubans about migration. How do they 
plan to return those they want to deport? Do they think they can hold 
Cubans in detention indefinitely?
  Conditions in Cuba are far more desperate than during Trump's first 
term. To be frank, President Biden disappointed me. He didn't do enough 
to help. Food and medicine shortages and power blackouts are causing 
more suffering. Mr. Speaker, 1 million people, one-tenth of the 
population, have left the island. If the Trump administration wants to 
stop migration, it should not be contributing to its root cause.
  The Cuban people are caught in a vise. They don't have a government 
that adequately responds to their needs, and they can't look to America 
to help them, either. A better approach to Cuba starts with seeing each 
other on a human level. We should promote exchange between artists, 
musicians, writers, filmmakers, scientists, and students. We can 
nurture understanding, build relationships, foster trust, and diplomacy 
will follow.
  President Obama understood this. He knew that insanity was doing the 
same thing over and over and expecting different results, so he 
loosened restrictions, relieved tensions, and advanced cooperation. We 
were on the road to helping create a new future for Cuba.
  However, Trump takes us backward. He unjustifiably added Cuba to the 
state sponsor of terrorism list, purely for political reasons. They 
ought to be removed from that list. He banned travel and blocked 
remittances. He has cut off our ability to negotiate for the release of 
political prisoners. He continues to insist on sanctions to 
economically starve the country. We should instead lift the embargo. By 
closing off American engagement, he has opened the door for greater 
Russian and Chinese influence.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to consider a human-focused approach 
to Cuba. Our policy should not add to their suffering. We should hear 
their aspirations and never doubt the power of the people to create 
change.
  Our Cuba policy is on the wrong track. It is a throwback to the Cold 
War. It is ineffective, and it makes us look petty and vindictive in 
the eyes of the world community. We need to do much better.

                          ____________________