Paul Votes to End Restrictions on Trade with Cuba PDF Print E-mail
FOR RELEASE: July 25, 2000

Paul Votes to End Restrictions on Trade with Cuba Legislation Will Open Cuban Markets To Texas Farmers

Washington D.C.- Congressman Ron Paul voted Thursday to support legislation designed to reduce trade and travel restrictions currently imposed on Cuba. Several amendments to an appropriations bill were proposed which would prohibit federal funds from being used to implement economic sanctions against Cuba. Paul supported two amendments approved by the House. One eliminates restrictions on medicine, food, and agricultural exports to Cuba, while the second lifts restrictions on travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens.
Paul praised the legislation as a free trade measure that will benefit the district economy: "We need to end trade embargoes and open new markets for Texas agriculture. Economic sanctions punish Texas farmers who want to export their products to Cuba. I have always supported true free trade because it makes sense for the farmers in my district."
Paul also supported a broader amendment to the appropriations bill that would have effectively ended the Cuban embargo completely. Similarly, he introduced legislation in 1999 aimed at eliminating all trade restrictions with Cuba for any type of U.S. exports.
"My constituents know that I have a consistent record of voting for true free trade with no government subsidies or multinational agreements" Paul continued. "The federal government should not tell Texas farmers they cannot export to any particular country. Trade embargoes simply benefit our export competitors, who stand ready to sell to market closed to our farmers. It is time to end our 40-year failed policy and open up the Cuban marketplace to our products."