Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Changes to U.S.-Cuba Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, issued the following statement on the Biden administration’s announcement of changes to U.S. policy towards Cuba:
“I commend President Biden for taking action this week to reverse yet another set of oppressive Trump-era policies: this time, in regard to Cuba. The United States will now resume the family reunification program, increase flights to Cuba, and lift restrictions on remittances; all overdue, much-needed steps that will support the Cuban people. Donative remittances will also resume, which will provide a crucial lifeline to the most vulnerable Cubans, particularly within the Afro-Cuban community.
“These important changes will bring real, impactful help to people and families both in Cuba and the U.S. But our work toward normalizing relations cannot end here. We must do more to rectify the decades of harmful, counterproductive policies and, instead, support engagement and opportunity on the island. I look forward to working with President Biden to continue advancing U.S.-Cuban relations and ensure a brighter future for the Cuban people.”
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. She serves as Co-Chair of the Steering & Policy Committee, former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Chair Emeritus of the Progressive Caucus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Health Task Force, and Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus. She also serves as Chair of the Majority Leader’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity. As a member of the House Democratic Leadership, she is the highest ranking Black woman in the U.S. Congress.