Washington, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), together with Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Chair of the Rules Committee James P. McGovern (D-MA), issued the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s decision to provide humanitarian assistance to Cuba in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian: 

“We applaud the Biden Administration’s sound decision to provide $2 million in humanitarian assistance to the people of Cuba as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Providing U.S. assistance through international organizations to support vulnerable Cubans is both the right policy response and represents an important change from the previous Administration’s counterproductive actions.

“We remain deeply concerned about the dire situation on the island, including ongoing power shortages and the lack of basic necessities for the Cuban people. The United States is the world’s leader in providing life-saving assistance to other countries following natural disasters, and today’s announcement helps to demonstrate to citizens within our own hemisphere that the U.S. remains ready and willing to help those in need.

“As the Chairs of the relevant foreign policy Committees and Subcommittees, we fully support the Administration’s decision to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Cuba, and we stand ready to assist in its immediate delivery.” 

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