U.S. Rep. Castor warns that "riders" to House Appropriations Bills will block new Cuban engagement efforts, restrict travel

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL), who has been working to encourage engagement with Cuba to lift families and advance human rights, today warned that “riders” added to U.S. House Appropriations bills would block recent changes to policy toward Cuba made by President Obama. The U.S. House is scheduled to vote on the first of these amendments today, which will be the first votes by Congress on Cuba policy since the changes were announced last December.

“A large portion of my constituent work involves Cuban families and exchange initiatives with nonprofit, educational and cultural institutions,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. “President Obama’s new Cuba policy that promotes support of families, entrepreneurs and expanded travel has been received very positively across the Tampa Bay area and the country. Certain members of Congress now seek to block progress and reform and I intend to fight it.”

Today a House committee will also consider draft legislation for the bill to fund the State Department with a likely Republican restriction to block funds from being used to establish embassies in Cuba or the United States.  Meanwhile, America's outdated Interest Section building in Havana, Cuba remains constrained and in a weakened position to serve American travelers, families and interests.

“At a time when our two countries are engaged in historic negotiations, House Republicans are trying to block progress at every step,” U.S. Rep. Castor said.  “Cuban families, including many of our neighbors in the Tampa area, businesses and educators will benefit as both countries cast off outdated Cold War policies that limit interaction and progress on economic and human rights reform.”

U.S. Rep. Castor added:  “A rider to the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies appropriations bill would have a significant chilling effect on the Department of Commerce’s ability to carry out the new policy. Embargo supporters - those who would keep in place a policy that has failed after 50 years of trying - want to make it look like this language is narrowly targeted. In fact it has a broad impact and is just an attempt to roll back the new Cuba policy. Another rider that is attached to the Transportation, Housing & Urban Development appropriations bill would prohibit the expansion of travel options like ferries and air charter service to Cuba. Tampa International Airport will tell anybody who wants to know that we have already seen the benefits of expanded travel – Tampa/Cuba service that started with two weekly flights in 2011 is now at five weekly flights and generating about $1 million annually for the airport.”

“Our chamber believes that the best way to spread democracy is through commerce.  The opportunity to conduct business with the people of Cuba could pose a tremendous boost to the Tampa Bay region and our state’s economy,” said Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Rohrlack added.

U.S. Rep. Castor is committed to modernizing relations and improving the lives of the Cuban people and Cuban-Americans in our area. U.S. Rep. Castor wrote to then President-Elect Obama about travel to Cuba and called for him to lift the restrictions that limit family travel to the island nation. She also advocated for increasing travel through broadening general licenses and successfully pushed the Administration to designate Tampa International Airport as an entry/exit point for charter flights to the former home of many of our neighbors. Upon her return from a fact-finding visit to Cuba in 2013, U.S. Rep. Castor urged President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry to take steps to normalize relations and increase engagement with a changing Cuba. She applauded the President’s historic announcement in December to make bold policy changes that would re-establish diplomatic relations, expand travel opportunities and support for improved human rights for the Cuban people.

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