OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

What has Cuba Done

Date: July 14, 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Affairs Trade


WHAT HAS CUBA DONE? -- (House of Representatives - July 14, 2009)

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Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss our relationship with our neighbor to the south, Cuba. I applaud President Obama for his plan to re-engage Cuba in a constructive dialogue and support his first steps to that end. But I must ask, what has Cuba done?

Improving the relationship between the United States and Cuba is something I strongly support, but I do not support this partnership at any cost.

I must ask, what has Cuba done? Cuba is still imprisoning political dissidents; Cuba still denies gay and lesbian citizens basic rights like freedom of assembly; Cuba still forbids travel outside the country without official permission.

We cannot tacitly reward this behavior by restoring normal relations with Cuba without asking what has Cuba done. Our ultimate progress is up to Cuba, and our shared diplomacy must be a two-way street.

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