WASHINGTON-Sen. Amy Klobuchar led a group of senators in urging the U.S. Department of State to maintain economic and political engagement with Cuba.
Upholding normalized relations with Cuba provides key economic and national security benefits to the United States, a news release from Klobuchar's office said. In a letter, Klobuchar and a group of senators call on Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to build on the economic, political and national security progress we have made thus far by expanding, not retracting, engagement with Cuba.
"American travel and hotel companies are taking advantage of their ability to get licenses to work in Cuba. American airline companies are flying direct commercial routes between the U.S. and Cuba, and for the first time in decades an American cruise ship docked in Havana," the senators wrote. "In 2016, tourism to Cuba set a record, increasing by nearly 14 percent. In order for American businesses to benefit from this growth they have to be able to do business in Cuba."
The senators continued, "A majority of the American people support engagement with Cuba. American business leaders and farmers deserve a fair shot to compete in a market just 90 miles from our shores. We urge you to build on the economic, political, and national security progress we have made thus far by expanding, not retracting, engagement with Cuba."
