On Eve of United Nations Vote, Members of Congress Call on President Obama to Abstain from Cuba Embargo Vote

October 27, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On the eve of a crucial United Nations vote, Members of Congress led by Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Sam Farr (CA-20) called on the Obama Administration to abstain from tomorrow’s vote on a United Nations resolution criticizing the United States’ 55 year-old economic embargo against Cuba. The members wrote that, while the formal re-establishment of a U.S. Embassy in Cuba this year marked an important turn in U.S.-Cuban relations, more can be done between the two countries to improve diplomatic relations, expand trade, and promote human rights and democratic reforms.

The annual General Assembly resolution condemning the embargo puts the United States in a virtually isolated position—last year’s vote saw passage by 188-2. After 23 years of voting against the resolution, an abstention from this year’s vote would send a clear message that the U.S. is committed to improving relations with Cuba.

“Given that overwhelming majorities have long voted to condemn the embargo, it is increasingly clear that the embargo does more to isolate our interests than those of the Cuban government,” the Members wrote said. “Should this year’s resolution and the debate surrounding it fully reflect the realities of the new U.S.-Cuba relationship, we urge you to seriously consider the unprecedented step of asking the U.S. Permanent Representative to abstain from voting. We believe that an abstention will send a clear message that the U.S. is truly committed to improving relations with Cuba and addressing critical issues in our bilateral relationship.”

The Obama administration has signaled that it will oppose the resolution unless the text is amended.

In addition to Reps. Huffman and Farr, the letter was signed by Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Rick Nolan (D-Minn.), Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Betsy McCollum (D-Minn.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), John Yarmuth (D-Ky.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Mike Honda (D-Calif.), Emmanuel Cleaver (D-Miss.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-District of Columbia), Jose Serrano (D-N.Y.) Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Conn), Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), and Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio).

The full text of the letter can be found below:

October 26, 2015

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington D.C., 20500

Dear President Obama:

The formal re-establishment of a U.S. embassy in Cuba on August 20th of this year marked an important turn in U.S.-Cuba relations. We thank you for your commitment to promoting a 21st century foreign policy with Cuba and request that you work with international partners and Congress to further develop mutually beneficial relations between the two nations.

Later this month, the United Nations will consider a resolution calling for an end to the U.S. embargo on Cuba. The Cuban delegation to the UN has submitted this resolution to the General Assembly for the past 23 years. Given that overwhelming majorities have long voted to condemn the embargo, it is increasingly clear that the embargo does more to isolate our interests than those of the Cuban government.

Should this year’s resolution and the debate surrounding it fully reflect the realities of the new U.S.-Cuba relationship, we urge you to seriously consider the unprecedented step of asking the U.S. Permanent Representative to abstain from voting. We believe that an abstention will send a clear message that the U.S. is truly committed to improving relations with Cuba and addressing critical issues in our bilateral relationship.

We appreciate your leadership on this issue, in particular your call to Congress to take steps to lift the embargo. We look forward to working constructively with your Administration to improve diplomatic relations, expand trade, and promote human rights and democratic reforms.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
__________________                                                __________________
Rep. Jared Huffman                                                   Rep. Sam Farr

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