Researched and compiled by Veronica Plaut, Beth Lentz, and Jordan Press.

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Here is a catalog of how your representative acted on some of the most important initiatives regarding Latin America policy in the past year.   If your representative is not listed, they did not act positively on any of these initiatives. 

About the Initiatives and Votes

McGovern Amendment on Colombia: Rep McGovern (D-MA) sponsored an amendment to the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill that would have cut $100 million in military aid for Colombia and transferred it to child survival and international health programs.  Those who voted in favor of the amendment are denoted with an “X”.  “NV” signifies the member did not vote.

Cuba Travel/Embargo Vote: An amendment to the Treasury/Postal Appropriations bill was offered by Rep. Flake (R-AZ) to ban use of Treasury Department funds for the enforcement of travel restrictions to Cuba.  The Flake amendment passed by 240-186.  Rep. Rangel’s (D-NY) amendment would have prohibited Treasury Department funding to implement the United States’ economic embargo on Cuba as a whole.  It lost by a vote of 201-226.  Those who voted in favor of the Flake amendment are denoted with an “F”, and for the Rangel amendment with an “R”. “NV” signifies the member did not vote.

Bridges to the Cuban People Act Co-Sponsors: This bill, introduced by Representatives Serrano (D-NY) and Leach (R-IA), would make comprehensive reforms to U.S.-Cuba policy.  Among the bills measures are the removal of financing restrictions for the sale of food and medicine to Cuba, lifting of all travel restrictions, ending restrictions on vessels carrying such legal exports to Cuba that otherwise could not re-enter US waters, awarding of scholarships to Cuban students to study in the U.S., and a lifting of the cap on remittances.  No legislative action was taken on the bill this year.  The 108 members who are co-sponsoring the legislation are marked with an “X”.

El Salvador Earthquake Relief Dear Colleague: These members signed a letter to President Bush requesting the administration’s full support in providing necessary earthquake relief and reconstruction aid to Salvador.  The 76 Signers to the letter to President Bush are denoted with an “X”. 

Colombia Union Safety Dear Colleague: The denoted members sign a letter to the Pastrana administration in Colombia, urging it to take immediate steps to end the impunity enjoyed by Colombian paramilitaries and guerilla groups that have been targeting and assassinating members and leaders of Colombia’s trade unions.  The 32 signers to the letter to President Pastrana are denoted with an “X”.

Digna Ochoa Dear Colleague Letter:  These members signed a letter to Mexican president Vicente Fox expressing sadness at the killing of human rights lawyer Digna Ochoa, and their concern about existing threats against human rights workers.  The 48 signers to the letter to President Fox are marked with an “X”. 

Dear Colleague withholding General System of Preferences (GSP) for Guatemala: This Dear Colleague letter encourages the United States Trade Representative to take away Guatemala’s trade preferences under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), until Guatemala comes into compliance with internationally recognized labor rights standards.   The 22 signers are denoted with an “X”.