Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House panel on global human rights, released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s New Cuba Policy:

     “I am encouraged by President Trump’s seeking to curtail the flow of funds to the communist Castro regime in Cuba. This is the first step in halting the Obama Administration’s misguided policy—which overlooked egregious human rights abuses, including the regime’s complicity in human trafficking, in order to further his personal ‘legacy.’ I would further encourage the President to set concrete and measurable milestones which tie any liberalization in Cuba policy to progress in respect for human rights and democracy. To that end, I intend to reintroduce the Cuba Human Rights Act, which protects the human rights of the Cuban people, demands the return of fugitives from justices such as convicted cop killer Joanne Chesimard and requires the Castro regime to compensate those whose property they stole.” 

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