As the Obama administration continues with its plans to make changes to the United States’ diplomatic presence in Cuba, many U.S. legislators, including Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), remain opposed to the policy shift.
“I am opposed to the administration’s planned re-designation of the U.S. Interests Section as a U.S. Embassy in Cuba,” Granger, chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee’s State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee, said. “(This) would give the Cuban regime full diplomatic recognition despite the fact that they continue to repress the Cuban people.”
Cuba is still governed by the communist Castro regime. Its diplomatic relations are to be officially restored on Monday, and the Cuban Embassy in Washington, DC will open on the same day. The trade embargo that prohibits travel and business between the two nations remains in effect, although the administration is calling for it to be lifted.
Many members of Congress do not agree with the change in policy, alleging that the Cuban government will continue to repress its citizens, and saying that did not seem to be an issue of contingency for the reformed relationship.
“As chairwoman of the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee, it is my responsibility to weigh in on how the State Department uses American taxpayer dollars, and I object to funds being used to expand U.S. diplomatic operations and facilities in Cuba,” Granger concluded.