UPDATE: Statement from Chairman Berman on H.R. 4645. The vote scheduled has been postponed
I, along with my family (parents) have been working as activists for nearly 10 years to change U.S. policy toward Cuba. My mother just got out of a routine surgery today, and less than an hour ago she called with the good news from her hospital bed that she was in some pain, but feeling strong. Following she said, “I wish I could be there with you tomorrow for the vote,” and it just broke my heart to tell her that moments before her call I got the public statement from the Chairman’s office about the postponement of the vote.
I told a friend, who is equally obsessed with issue, that I feel like I am in an abusive relationship with U.S. legislature toward Cuba. You feel like you are making progress and then once again you get disappointed.
I took some breaths before writing this…
Re-read the statement and re-evaluated my analysis…
I urge readers not to lose sight of the longer view. That we are clearly in the final chapter of this saga, we all know how it will end, but we also all know it’s not a short story but rather an epic – and most of all that the pages don’t write themselves, that it’s up to those who care deeply for the future of the Cuban people to keep pressure on and hope alive. There is a step back for every two forward but we have come an enormously long way and will prevail.
Congress of the United States
House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Statement of Chairman Howard L. Berman on H.R. 4645
Washington, DC – Congressman Howard L. Berman (D-CA), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement regarding the markup of H.R. 4645, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act:
“For a very long time, I have either led or supported efforts to repeal restrictions on the freedom of Americans to travel. The current prohibition on Americans traveling to Cuba is the last obstacle to the full enjoyment of this right. I strongly support H.R.4645, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act, which would eliminate the Cuba travel restrictions.
“The Committee had been scheduled to consider this legislation tomorrow, but it now appears that Wednesday will be the last day that Congress is in session before an extended district work period. That makes it increasingly likely that our discussion of the bill will be disrupted or cut short by votes or other activity on the House floor. Accordingly, I am postponing consideration of H.R. 4645 until a time when the Committee will be able to hold the robust and uninterrupted debate this important issue deserves. I firmly believe that when we debate and vote on the merits of this legislation, and I intend for it to be soon, the right to travel will be restored to all Americans.”
