Moran helps lead bipartisan Freedom to Export to Cuba Act

The nation’s trade embargo against Cuba would be lifted under bipartisan legislation recently introduced by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS).

“This legislation will expand market opportunities for U.S. producers by allowing them to compete on a level playing field with other countries,” Sen. Moran said on March 10. “It is time to amend our own laws to give U.S. producers fair access to export to consumers in Cuba.”

Sen. Moran on March 2 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Freedom to Export to Cuba Act, S. 653, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and three other original cosponsors.

If enacted, S. 653 would eliminate legal barriers preventing Americans from doing business in Cuba and create new economic opportunities to boost U.S. exports to the country, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

“The unilateral trade embargo on Cuba blocks our own farmers, ranchers and manufacturers from selling into a market only 90 miles from our shoreline, while foreign competitors benefit at our expense,” said Sen. Moran. 

The Senate bill would repeal key provisions of existing laws that block Americans from doing business in Cuba, but retain laws that address human rights or property claims against the Cuban government, the summary says.

“I have long pushed to reform our relationship with Cuba, which for decades has been defined by conflicts of the past instead of looking toward the future,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “By ending the trade embargo with Cuba once and for all, our bipartisan legislation will turn the page on the failed policy of isolation while creating a new export market and generating economic opportunities for American businesses.”

S. 653 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee.