WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today released the following statement in response to Cuba being removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism:

“It’s time to turn the page on our Cuba policy, and removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terror is another important step forward,” Klobuchar said. “There are still many issues in our relationship with Cuba that must be addressed, but between this action and the president’s recent meeting with President Castro at the Summit of the Americas, it’s clear that we are making progress on bringing relations between our two countries into the 21st century. Next we should move forward with my legislation to lift the trade embargo so that farmers, ranchers, and other businesses across the country can reap the benefits of this improved relationship.”

Klobuchar recently traveled to Cuba to meet with agriculture and export officials to identify ways to open up new economic opportunities for businesses and farmers in the United States. Klobuchar has introduced the bipartisan Freedom to Export to Cuba Act to lift the current embargo, which will allow more U.S. goods to be exported to Cuba. The bill would eliminate the legal barriers to Americans doing business in Cuba, boosting job creation and exports. It does not repeal provisions of current law that address human rights in Cuba or that allow individuals and businesses to pursue claims against the Cuban government. Klobuchar is also a cosponsor of bipartisan legislation to lift the Cuba travel ban.

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