The Biden Administration has given some new consideration to the issue of Cuba. There are indications from the Administration that they are considering small but important steps, while at the same time there is pressure on the Administration in both directions: to increase and to end the harsh sanctions placed by Donald Trump on Cuba.
Right now, the Administration is hearing more from voices opposed to lifting restrictions and those calling for even harsher measures against Cuba.
Your representative and senators can make a difference. Let them know that you care, that you are paying attention to their stance on Cuba, and that you are counting on them to talk to President Biden, his Secretary of State and his National Security Council, and persuade them to move swiftly and objectively forward on the following measures:
- Remove the current restrictions on remittances to families and businesses in Cuba;
- Restore staff to the U.S. embassy in Cuba that can conduct normal consular services, including visa services;
- Initiate the process to take Cuba off the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism;
- Return as quickly as possible to direct bilateral negotiations with Cuba as occurred during the Obama-Biden administration.
How You Can Help
Our friends at Mass Peace Action created this action alert to help you get the job done. See below for instructions on a message you can send and a call you can make to your representative and senators.
Write!
Fill out this form to send them a message. It has already been written it for you (though feel free to edit)! All you have to do is enter your contact information.
Call!
Call their offices and read the script below. If they don’t answer, leave a voicemail. Sample script:
“My name is [First and Last Name] and I’m a constituent calling from [City, State, Zip Code]. Following recent events in Cuba the Biden Administration has given higher priority to the issue of Cuba. There have been indications that they are considering taking some important steps. The Administration, however, is under pressure in both directions: both to increase the sanctions and to lift some of the harshest of the sanctions placed by Donald Trump on Cuba. This is an important moment to use your power and your voice to help President Biden make the right choice and to take some small but significant steps. I call on you as my elected voice in Congress to encourage President Biden and his administration to:
- Remove the current restrictions on remittances to families and businesses in Cuba
- Restore staff to the U.S. embassy in Cuba that can conduct normal consular services, including visa services.
- Initiate the process to take Cuba off the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism
- Return as quickly as possible to direct bilateral negotiations with Cuba as occurred during the Obama-Biden administration.
I look forward to hearing your response and your plans to heal the long divide between the United States and Cuba.”
If we don’t raise our voices now to stand for the Cuban people, their suffering will only be prolonged. Let’s show them that we’re listening.
