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Lawmakers on Cuba deal’s impact

President Obama’s announcement on relaxing trade and travel barriers with Cuba is met with both concern and optimism by various members of Congress.

Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis says he’s one of the few members that has travelled to Cuba and he believes the decision “is a good first step in removing trade and travel barriers that will boost” both economies. He says the “only way to weaken the Castro regime is by strengthening Cuba’s middle class” through increased trade and travel.

But many of Davis’ fellow Republicans disagree. Incoming House Agriculture Committee Chair Mike Conaway of Texas says it’s a poorly negotiated deal and through it, the U.S. has “given up significant leverage in exchange for few tangible benefits for (the U.S.) or the average Cuban.”

Republican John Hoeven of North Dakota says “If we are going to normalize economic and diplomatic relations with Cuba, the Castro regime needs to first change its approach to human rights.”

Missouri Senator Roy Blunt says the deal is a mistake, adding, “It’s hard – if not impossible – to normalize relations with a Castro-led Cuba” and Blunt doesn’t see anything in the president’s announcement to persuade him otherwise.

Senate Ag Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow supports the deal and fellow Democrat Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota says there is strong demand in Cuba for many of the products predominantly grown in her state, “both for feeding the Cuban people and its growing agricultural sector.”