WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, the chief author of the bipartisan bill lifting the trade embargo restrictions against Cuba, issued the following statement regarding the agreement between the United States and Cuba to resume commercial air travel between the two countries:

"Securing commercial flights between the United States and Cuba will make it easier for Americans to seek travel and commerce opportunities on the island after more than 50 years of isolation. This announcement is an important step in modernizing our relationship with Cuba. The next step is for Congress to pass my bipartisan bill to lift the fifty-three-year-old embargo so that we can boost U.S. exports and allow Cubans greater access to American goods."

Klobuchar is leading the bipartisan Freedom to Export to Cuba Act—which currently has 22 Senate cosponsors. The bill lifts the current embargo and allows 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 attended the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Cuba with Secretary of State John Kerry in August. She also recently testified before the International Trade Commission to highlight the benefits of lifting the trade embargo with Cuba.