Washington, D.C. – The Bipartisan Co-Chairs of the Cuba Working Group (CWG), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR), Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL), and Congressman Tom Emmer (R-MN), released the following statement regarding President Trump’s announcement that he intends to roll back the policies that expanded travel to and trade with Cuba:

"We strongly disagree with the decision to reinstate failed isolationist policies towards Cuba. Restricting travel and trade and limiting our ability to export American democracy and values will hinder, not help, efforts to improve human rights and religious liberties in Cuba. Disengagement is not the American way and today’s announcement is not only bad for U.S. business, it is an unjustifiable risk to our national security and a devastating blow for the Cuban people – particularly the growing private sector.

“The vast majority of Americans strongly support expanded travel and trade policies, as do a broad coalition of Republicans and Democrats in Congress. Rather than rolling back our Cuba policies, we should open the door to more engagement with our island neighbor.

“We urge the reconsideration of this counterproductive decision. In the coming days, the CWG will thoroughly engage with federal agencies tasked with carrying out the President's directive to mitigate its harmful consequences. We will redouble our efforts to promote Cuba policies that will grow our economy, strengthen national security, and empower the Cuban people.”

The Bipartisan Cuba Working Group is made up of 24 Members of Congress committed to modernizing relations between the United States and Cuba.