Cramer Co-Sponsors H.R. 3687 - Cuba Agricultural Exports Act

Press Release

Congressman Kevin Cramer announced today he is co-sponsoring H.R. 3687, the Cuba Agricultural Exports Act. The bill repeals restrictions on export financing for agricultural products, allowing U.S. businesses to provide payment or financing terms for sales of agricultural commodities to Cuba. The Act also gives agricultural producers and businesses access to U.S. Department of Agriculture marketing program like the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program which help the U.S. compete in foreign markets.

Under the Act, federal agricultural checkoff programs funded by producers may also be used to expand agricultural markets in Cuba. The bill sets in place safeguards ensuring that no U.S. taxpayer funds can go to the Cuban government.

"Change in Cuba will not happen overnight, but helping to feed a hungry nation and working with the Cuban people already trying to feed their citizens under the Castro regime is an important move," said Cramer. "Incremental steps which increase trade in key sectors will help to improve the lives of everyday Cubans, expose them to our way of life, as well as open new markets for our producers."

One example of this incremental approach occurred earlier this year, when he joined Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT) to introduce H.R. 3055, the Cuba Digital and Telecommunications Advancement Act of 2015. This bipartisan legislation allows U.S. telecommunications and Internet companies to expand their services to and sell their communications devices in Cuba.

Congressman Cramer has long expressed his support for altering the United States' relationship with Cuba. The Congressman was part of a group of five Representatives and Senators who helped launch the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba, which includes more than 25 prominent U.S. food and agriculture companies and associations who seek to advance trade relations between the U.S. and Cuba. Members of the new coalition include the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Soybean Association, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the National Association of Wheat Growers, the National Barley Growers Association, National Farmers Union, the U.S. Canola Association, USA Rice Federation, the National Sorghum Producers, and the U.S. Dry Bean Council.

On January 8, 2015, Congressman Cramer gave the keynote speech at the launch of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba.

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