Boswell Votes to Expand Trade Opportunities for Iowa's Farmers and Small Business Owners

Press Release

his week, Congressman Leonard Boswell voted with his colleagues on the House Committee on Agriculture to send H.R. 4645, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act, to the House floor for a vote. This legislation simplifies the U.S.-Cuba trade relationship and expands new trade opportunities for Iowa's farmers and producers.

"The United States' refusal to trade its goods with Cuba has not changed the unfortunate political climate of that country or its regime," Boswell said. "Instead, it has unduly punished American famers and producers by denying them the opportunity to export their products to a country whose importation of food and agricultural products has doubled in recent years."

Boswell is an original co-sponsor of H.R. 4645, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act, which would result in millions of dollars in additional agricultural exports for the U.S. by simplifying the trade and payment process with Cuba.

"This is an issue that I have examined closely and that the Agriculture Committee has held several hearings on with U.S. trade officials, agriculture groups, and others," Boswell said. "Trade is critical to Iowa's agriculture industry and I am committed to working on trade agreements that will create new and expanded opportunities for farmers in the state. As a senior member of the Agriculture Committee, I will continue to work closely with U.S. trade officials and my colleagues in Congress to push for free trade agreements with other countries like South Korea that will open up new trade avenues for Iowa's farmers and Iowa's manufacturing sector."

This legislation would also lift the ban on American tourist travel to Cuba that has been in place with the trade embargo for 50 years.

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