Urgent: Support Rep. Tlaib's Amendment Allowing US Agriculture to Export Food to Cuba on Credit
Today or tomorrow (July 19 & 20), Congress is debating a crucial appropriations amendment that would allow US farmers to export badly needed food to Cuba on credit. We need as many people to email their House Representative NOW.
IMPORTANT: Please sign only as an individual constituent, without including any organizational affiliation
Why is this important?
The Cuban people are suffering from multiple crises, including the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the longstanding U.S. embargo, that have caused rising inflation, shortages of food, and limited access to medicine.
Due to the poor economic conditions and lack of basic goods, the Washington Post reports that over 140,000 Cubans have fled to the U.S-Mexico border since October – an amount larger than during the 1980 migration crisis.
Due to the restrictive policies on U.S. person-to-person travel to Cuba, and the Covid-19 pandemic, the revenue brought in by the tourism industry has plummeted. The tourism industry is an important source of hard currency that many Cubans rely on for basic goods and services, in addition to purchasing imports.
In addition, US sanctions prevent Cuba from purchasing US agricultural goods on credit, which is the most common and most viable means for Cuba to acquire food imports. As a result, Cuba is facing its acutest food shortages since the 1990s. Meanwhile, US farmers are also urging the Biden administration to loosen the sanctions.
Further Background:
Many members of Congress have been strong supporters of a more humane relationship between the U.S. and Cuba over the years. But the House has not taken a single vote aimed at improving U.S. policy towards Cuba this Congress.
In light of the upcoming midterm elections, now is the time for Congress to bring some aspect of Cuba policy to the floor and to take a vote showing Democrats’ overwhelming opposition to Trump’s failed, “maximum pressure” policy toward Cuba, while sending a signal to the administration that the recent move to only partially revoke Trump’s more than 200 additional sanctions is inadequate.
⇒ Tell Congress to support Rep. Tlaib's amendment to the appropriations bill, which would allow Cuba to import food on credit.
IMPORTANT: Please sign only as an individual constituent, without including any organizational affiliation
