Change in Our Interest: Travel, Trade and Improved Relations with Cuba

Change in Our Interest: Travel, Trade and Improved Relations with Cuba

U.S.-Cuba relations have been at a standstill for many years, but momentum for change is developing.

The information included in this congressional education packet documents how existing restrictions on travel and trade harm the national interests of the United States, and why reforming this policy is consistent with our values, our economic interests and efforts to improve the U.S. image abroad.

H.R. 4645 the "‘Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act" would restore U.S. citizens' right to travel to Cuba and facilitate the sale of U.S. agricultural products to Cuba.

We encourage you to use this information to talk to your Member of Congress. 

To download the entire packet, click here .

To download the individual documents, click on the links below:

1. Legislative Background: U.S. – Cuba Policy in the 111^th Congress
2. Travel Talking Points: Lifting the Travel Ban Will Strengthen U.S. Interests and Help the Cuban People
3. Trade Talking Points: Facilitating Agriculture Sales While Lifting the Travel Ban Will Further Help U.S. Interests and the Cuban People
4. Endorsement Lists: U.S. Organizations that Have Stated Their Support For an End to the Ban on Travel to Cuba for All Americans
5. Polling Data: Growing Numbers of Americans – Especially Cuban Americans – Want the Freedom to Travel for All Americans
6. Contact List: U.S.-Cuba Policy Contacts

The previously introduced, "Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act" H.R. 874 in the House of Representatives and S. 428 in the Senate would lift restrictions on travel to Cuba for all Americans. 

Recent commentary in support of lifting the ban on travel to Cuba and easing restrictions on U.S. sales to Cuba

Statements in support of H.R.4645

• Cuban dissidents & democracy advocates joint letter to Congress
• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops letter to Agriculture Committee
• Human Rights Watch statement
• WOLA press release
• Joint letter from leaders and mission directors of U.S. Christian communions, their agencies, and ecumenical organizations leaders
• Joint letter from American Farm Bureau, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other agriculture and business organizations
• Joint letter from U.S. human rights, religious, and humanitarian organizations
• American Farm Bureau Federation Testimony before House Agriculture Committee
• National Farmers Union Testimony before House Agriculture Committee
• US Rice Producers Association and USA Rice Federation Testimony before House Agriculture Committee
• National Association of Wheat Growers Testimony before House Agriculture Committee
• National Milk Producers Federation Testimony before House Agriculture Committee
• National Corn Growers Association Testimony before House Agriculture Committee
• American Soybean Association Testimony before House Agriculture Committee
• The Honorable John Block, Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Testimony before House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade
• Center for International Policy Testimony before House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade
• Washington Office on Latin America Testimony before House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Testimony before House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade

Statements in support of H.R.874 and S.428

• "Commentary: Lifting ban would make Cuba freer, open", Bob Stallman, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, Op-Ed, Mcclatchy-Tribune News Service
• Chamber of Commerce Letter to Congress in Support of the "Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act", H.R. 874 and S. 428
• Joint Letter from U.S. Agricultural Producers, Food Processors and Exporters in Support of Unrestricted Travel and Trade with Cuba
• "The Nation Tour Association Joins the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act Team", Press Release, National Tour Association (NTA)
• "AFBF Calls for Lifting Cuba Travel Ban", Press Release, American Farm Bureau Federation
• "U.S. Wheat Industry Supports Increased Trade with Cuba", Press Release, National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates
• "U.S. Dairy Industry Support for H.R. 874 and S. 428", U.S. Dairy Export Council and the National Milk Producers Federation
• "Cuba Study Group Calls on U.S. Government to Lift All Restrictions on Travel and Remittances to Cuba", Press Release, Cuba Study Group
• Statement of Support for Lifting All Restrictions on Americans to Travel to Cuba, Miriam Leiva, Independent Journalist and Human Rights Activist; Oscar Espinosa Chepe, prisoner of conscience, sentenced to 20 years on March 2003, on conditional release due to serious health problems
• "Charting a New Course on U.S.-Cuba Policy: Seizing a Historic Opportunity", Emergency Network of Cuban American Artists and Scholars for Change in U.S.-Cuba policy (ENCASA)
• Leaders of Cuban-American Organizations Sign-On Letter in Support of "The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act"
• "New Bill on Cuba Vital to Advance Democracy, End Stalemate", Press Release, Freedom House
• Statement by José Miguel Vivanco in Support of the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act, Human Rights Watch
• Letter from Retired Military Officers to President Obama to Support Congressional Initiative to End the Ban on Travel to Cuba for All Americans, National Security Network and New America Foundation
• "Religious Leaders Call for Change in Cuba Travel Policy" Joint Sign-On Letter, Church World Service (CWS)
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Letter of Support for Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act