Republican U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake is among a bipartisan group of senators who sent a letter to President Obama saying they are committed to expand trade and travel between the U.S. and Cuba. They argue lifting sanctions and modernizing other policies between the two countries could help create change in the communist island.
From a statement by Flake:
Our hope is that changes to the current trade and travel relationship will advance our goal of bolstering the vulnerable private sector and increasing entrepreneurship while decreasing the role of state-controlled enterprises,” wrote the Republican senators.Flake traveled to Cuba in November for a three-day trip with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and when he returned he announced his approval for fixing trade and travel ties.
With the significance of your recent announcements related to Cuba, we look forward to Congress turning its attention toward modernizing U.S.-Cuba policy to the benefit of U.S. citizens and the Cuban people alike. Congress must play an integral role in reforming our policy toward Cuba.
Also last year, Obama said he wanted to rebuild a relationship with Cuba after more than 50 years. But the trade embargo and other policies can only be reversed by Congress.
Read the letter Flake and others sent to Obama yesterday.
