Congresswoman Barbara Lee to serve on steering committee of new bipartisan Cuba work group
WASHINGTON, DC – A bipartisan group of twelve members of Congress announced the formation of a Cuba Working Group to develop policies that modernize relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a long-time leader in efforts to normalize relations between the U.S. and Cuba, will serve on the Working Group’s Steering Committee.
“The formation of this bipartisan Working Group is another step forward in the effort to finally end more than fifty years of failed policy and open a new chapter in relations between our nation and our Cuban neighbors,” said Congresswoman Lee. “The President has shown bold leadership in ending failed U.S. isolationist policies toward Cuba. It’s past time for Congress to follow his lead by repealing the embargo and lifting the travel ban.”
The group announced its formation in a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
The Steering Committee writes: “Increasingly, the American people are indicating their desire for a new, more pragmatic approach to Cuba. More people are traveling from the U.S. to Cuba, more businesses are looking for opportunity on the island, and more sectors are eager for trade. The bi-partisan Cuba Working Group will promote a U.S.-Cuba policy that reflects the interests of the American people in engagement with Cuba.”
They conclude stating, “Our goal is to raise the level of understanding inside of Congress for the need to build a new policy framework for U.S.-Cuban relations.”
The Members of the bipartisan Steering Committee include Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Congresswomen Kathy Castor (D-FL), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) and Congressmen Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Sam Farr (D-CA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Ted Poe (R-TX), Reid Ribble (R-WI) and Mark Sanford (R-SC.)
