Smith Statement on Bill Benefiting Cuba

Statement

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today released the following statement after the House Agriculture Committee passed H.R. 4645, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act. This bill would lift the U.S. ban on travel to Cuba while also easing financing with the regime. Smith voted against the bill.

"Today's committee action was more about travel and less about trade. My record in promoting Nebraska ag products to international markets speaks for itself. I am disappointed in both the process and the substance of the committee's actions today.

"I find it troubling to include politically divisive language in a bill, then disallow any actions which would remove those provisions. Clearly, the intentions of this bill have nothing to do with agriculture.

"Instead of focusing on legislation which will have no immediate benefit for Nebraska ag producers, I hope Congress will act quickly to pass pending trade agreements with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia - trade agreements which will have an impact on our agriculture exporters and which will strengthen our allies in Latin America and Asia.

"I remain committed to exploring every opportunity for Nebraska's producers to tap into the world's economic opportunities," Smith said.

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