Mack Comments on Postponed Cuba Hearing

Statement

Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14), the Ranking Republican of the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, commented on the delay of a markup on legislation that would lift the U.S. travel ban on Cuba. The House Foreign Affairs Committee was scheduled to markup the legislation this afternoon, but the markup has been postponed.

Mack said:

"While I'm glad that Democrats chose not to push through a last-ditch effort to vote on lifting the U.S. travel ban on Cuba in the Foreign Affairs Committee this week, we shouldn't be having this vote in the first place until the Castro Brothers make serious concessions to ensure freedom and improve human rights on the island. Real democratic reforms are needed in Cuba, including free and fair elections, the release of all political prisoners, and a free and independent press that is allowed to operate without fear of oppression or violence.

"It's outrageous that some Members of this Congress would prop up the failing communist regime's economy by allowing an influx of U.S. tourist dollars in Cuba. Opening Cuba to tourist travel is not going to change the Castro Brothers' tyrannical ways.

"This Congress should be focusing on issues such as creating jobs, which would be accomplished by passing the pending free trade agreements with Colombia and Panama -- not by bailing out the Castro regime."

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