Bronx, NY—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement on additional announced changes to U.S. policy toward Cuba. This follows Chairman Engel’s statement earlier today on implementation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act:

“Throughout my time in Congress, I have taken a backseat to no one in calling out the repressive rule of the Cuban regime.

“Unfortunately, the Trump Administration’s announcement today won’t do anything to change that situation. Limiting the money Cuban-Americans can send to family members and further restricting U.S. travel to Cuba will have no effect on the Cuban government, but instead will deal a significant blow to the Cuban people.

“I have seen firsthand the impact that U.S. travel to Cuba has in supporting the country’s budding private sector—the very people who are struggling to survive in the difficult economic environment created by the Cuban regime. These independent entrepreneurs represent the country’s future and today President Trump has chosen to turn his back on them.

“Finally, limiting remittances to struggling Cuban families deprives them of the resources they need to survive. This is quite simply inhumane. I urge President Trump to return to smart policies aimed at supporting the Cuban people rather than causing further harm to these individuals.”

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