For Immediate Release: June 19, 2002

Press Contact: Brian Alexander

Tel: (202) 321-CUBA (2822)

Lifting Cuban Embargo is a

BIPARTISAN Issue:

U.S. Congress FAVORS Easing the Embargo

Wednesday, June 19, 2002, Washington – In a series of recent initiatives, REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS of both the House and the Senate have supported easing the four-decades-old U.S. embargo of Cuba. According to Ambassador Sally Grooms Cowal, president of Cuba Policy Foundation, “The tide in the Congress is shifting away from support for the embargo. Among Republicans and Democrats alike, it is clear that ending the embargo is a bipartisan issue.”

A look at recent floor votes demonstrates that the U.S. Congress favors easing the embargo of Cuba:

· April 2002: In the House, Dooley Motion to Instruct, supporting language to allow private finance of food sales to Cuba, making it easier to sell food to Cuba, PASSES: 273-143.

· December 2001: In the Senate, an effort to strike aforementioned language on farm finance FAILS: 61-33.

· July 2001: in support of allowing Americans to travel to Cuba, the House PASSES provision that would end funding for enforcement of the travel ban, 240-186.

· October 2000: Language allowing sales of food to Cuba for first time in 40 years PASSES both the House and Senate and is signed into law by President Clinton.

Support in the Congress for lifting the embargo IS GROWING. In March 2002, the House Cuba Working Group was formed, comprised of 21 Republican and 21 Democratic members of Congress who favor lifting the embargo. A bill sponsored by New York Congressman Charles Rangel that would end the U.S. embargo entirely has gained support in the past two years, failing by only 174 to 241 in 2000, and then by only 201-227 in 2001. This years vote promises to show even more gains. Moreover, a striking number of Senators and Representatives are traveling to Cuba to explore ways of easing the embargo and expanding U.S. ties with the island. In 2002 alone, over two-dozen members of Congress will have visited to Cuba.

For more information, please contact Cuba Policy Foundation.