{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-congressman-blumenauer-presidents-decision-normalize-relations", "Statement of Congressman Blumenauer on President's Decision to Normalize Relations with Cuba", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Normal\n  0\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  false\n  false\n  false\n  \n  EN-US\n  X-NONE\n  X-NONE\n  \n   \n   \n   \n   \n   \n   \n   \n   \n   \n   \n   \n  \n  MicrosoftInternetExplorer4\n  \n   \n   \n   \n   \n   \n   \n   \n   \n   \n   \n   \n  \n\n\n \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n \n /* Style Definitions */\n table.MsoNormalTable\n\t{mso-style-name:\"Table Normal\";\n\tmso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;\n\tmso-tstyle-colband-size:0;\n\tmso-style-noshow:yes;\n\tmso-style-priority:99;\n\tmso-style-qformat:yes;\n\tmso-style-parent:\"\";\n\tmso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;\n\tmso-para-margin-top:0in;\n\tmso-para-margin-right:0in;\n\tmso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;\n\tmso-para-margin-left:0in;\n\tline-height:115%;\n\tmso-pagination:widow-orphan;\n\tfont-size:11.0pt;\n\tfont-family:\"Calibri\",\"sans-serif\";\n\tmso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;\n\tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;\n\tmso-fareast-font-family:\"Times New Roman\";\n\tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;\n\tmso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;\n\tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}\n\n\n\tI was delighted with the President's decision to set in motion a dramatic shift away from our failed policies towards Cuba. His initial first steps, including reestablishing diplomatic relations, sets the stage for what must ultimately be done, which is lifting the embargo. It's also heartwarming that after five long years, AlanGrosshas finally been reunited with his family, who have fought bravely and tirelessly for his release ever since his wrongful imprisonment in Cuba.\n\n\tFor as long as I have been in Congress, I've been speaking out against this strategic mistake. The United States does not have a coherent sanctions policy, free of any mechanism to determine when it's time to reevaluate or eliminate them. \n\n\tThat would have meant that long ago there would have been a reevaluation of American's effort of isolating Cuba. In a rational world, and by any objective measure, the Cuban government is no more repressive than the Chinese, the Vietnamese, or some Middle Eastern countries. None of these countries, however, face sanctions as severe, and in most instances, enjoy normal trading status with us. \n\n\tExperts agree that had the United States been more open with Cuba, the force of our ideas  from freedom of speech to personal liberty to open markets  would have chipped away at the repressive Castro regime. Indeed, had that been our policy from the outset, it's quite possible that the Castro's would no longer be in power. What's for certain, however, is that the lives the Cuban people would be better off, and economic benefits would be shared between our two countries. \n\n\tI hope we can have the long overdue, broader discussion in this country and that Congress moves swiftly to reevaluate and ultimately abolish the embargo. There are plenty of other opportunities for us to influence the Cuban government while we strengthen ties with the Cuban people. It is abundantly clear that after 50 years, however, the embargo is not an effective one. \n\n\tToo often American foreign policy is driven by our domestic passions and leads to policies that are punitive in nature, but void of a broader strategy. Worse, often our actions prevent the very outcomes we desire. That has certainly been the case with Cuba. It's time for a reset, with eyes wide open, and the President set that in motion yesterday. It's time for Congress to follow through and right this historic misadventure in sanctions policy. \n\n\t\n\n\tPete Souza/The White House\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-congressman-blumenauer-presidents-decision-normalize-relations"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5598260797560215, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}