Washington D.C. – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) applauds the introduction of the Freedom for Americans to Travel to Cuba Act of 2017 by Senators Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) with a bi-partisan majority of their colleagues.
Americans in both parties overwhelmingly support repealing the legislative bar to their right to travel freely to Cuba. Repealing the legislative travel ban will further U.S. national interests in the hemisphere; promote the economic and cultural ties that exist between the U.S. and Cuba, and encourage a shared commitment to addressing national security concerns of both countries.
“A Senate vote to repeal the travel legislative ban will reinforce U.S. commitment to normalizing diplomatic, commercial, and civic engagement between the U.S. and Cuba and further U.S.-Cuba relations appropriate to the 21st century,” said Richard Sawaya, Vice President of the NFTC.
“Many Americans would likely be surprised to learn that their government still restricts their right to travel,” said Jake Colvin, Vice President for Global Trade Issues at NFTC. “Ending the travel ban would remove this ridiculous limitation and promote connections with Cuban entrepreneurs and communities. We encourage Congress and President Trump to act swiftly on the Senators’ initiative.”
