Barbara Lee Welcomes Reports of Administration Plans to Expand U.S.-Cuba Travel Opportunities

For Immediate Release
 

Contact: Nicole Y. Williams
202-225-2661

Washington, D.C. – With reports this week that the Obama Administration will announce plans to expand opportunities for Americans to travel to Cuba, Congresswoman Barbara (D-CA) Lee released the following statement:

“I would certainly welcome any move by the Administration to remove some of the existing travel restrictions, however, the fact is we should lift the entire ban.

“Enough is enough.  It is far past time that we end this counterproductive and unnecessary travel ban.

“I began working against the trade and travel ban as an aide to my predecessor Congressman Ronald Dellums in the 1970s. Despite some progress, we still face this travel ban that prevents critical exchange of ideas between Americans and the Cuban people.

“Americans are the best Ambassadors for our ideas and that important exchange of ideas will only come through ending this senseless ban on travel. 

“Statistics show that the vast majority of American’s want the travel ban lifted.

“It is time we take action and remove the travel ban and end the embargo.”

Congresswoman Barbara Lee has long supported an end to the travel ban and has introduced legislation (H.R. 332) that would remove travel restrictions for students traveling to Cuba. Last year, Congresswoman Lee led a Congressional delegation to Cuba. There she met with Cuban President Raul Castro and others to review policies related to trade and commerce with Cuba, and discuss cultural, health and academic exchanges.

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