With Thursday marking a year since President Barack Obama announced the start of his efforts to normalize relations with Cuba, a Florida congresswoman helped bring back a group in Congress focused on that island nation.
On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., joined nine other members of Congress in writing U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., and U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelsoi, D-Calif., announcing the revival of the congressional Cuba Working Group.
Besides Castor, the other members bringing the group back are Republican U.S. Reps. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Rick Crawford of Arkansas, Tom Emmer of Minnesota, Ted Poe of Texas and Reid Ribble of Wisconsin and Democratic U.S. Reps. Rosa Delauro of Connecticut, Sam Farr and Barbara Lee of California and Jim McGovern of Massachusetts. Earlier in the year, Castor teamed with Emmer to bring out a bill ending economic sanctions on Cuba.
“Increasingly, the American people are indicating their desire for a new, more pragmatic approach to Cuba,” the ten representatives wrote. “The bipartisan Cuba Working Group will promote a U.S.-Cuba policy that reflects the interest of the American people in engaging with Cuba.”
The representatives expressed their disapproval of economic sanctions and travel bans on Cuba and insisted the new group will promote a “new policy framework for U.S.-Cuba relations” in Congress.
Castor sounded a similar note as she said her Tampa Bay district was leading the way on building ties with Cuba.
“Our bipartisan effort will encourage greater U.S. engagement with Cuba and begin work towards lifting the embargo,” Castor said. “The Tampa Bay area has been a leader in promoting a pro-engagement policy. I intend to continue to help lead the nation in modernizing our diplomatic policies to create jobs, improve human rights and foster better economic opportunities on the island and in America.”
“One year ago, the president followed through on so much of what my community had advocated for years: turning the page on the Cold War policies of the past,” Castor added. “ However, congressional action is required to remove the further restrictions on commerce and travel that continue to be barriers to progress.
Castor got come cover from her local business community as Bob Rohrlack, the president and CEO of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, praised her efforts.
“We commend U.S. Rep. Castor for leading the efforts of re-establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba,” Rohrlack said. “The chamber has been engaged in exploring opportunities in Cuba for years and U.S. Rep. Castor has worked alongside us each step of the way – including co-hosting a forum on Cuba with the chamber and Tampa International Airport. As we recognize the one-year mark, we know there is more to do and we will continue our efforts on behalf of the business community in support of pursuing increased opportunities with Cuba.”
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
