Dear New York Cuba Policy Activists—

We’re writing to you today with information and an action request. The House of Representatives will be voting on Cuba travel in the next week. The following members need attention to make sure they support efforts to lift the travel ban. From the information you’ll see why constituents should be concerned that they might vote to maintain the travel ban.

Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-5th, has voted for the second year in a row to loosening the most inhumane portions of the embargo. Last week, he voted in favor of allowing people to send toothpaste and toilet paper to relatives on the island. But he has never voted to allow US citizens to travel to Cuba. Rep.Ackerman needs to hear from constituents that they favor ending allrestrictions on trade with and travel to Cuba.

Rep. Brian Higgins D-27th, is a new member.He voted in favor of allowing families to send supplies to their lovedones on the island. We need to make sure that he doesn’t stop there, andvotes to end the travel ban for all US citizens.

Rep. Randy Kuhl, R-29th, is a new member and has now voted against loosening even the most inhumane portions of the embargo. He recently voted against allowing people to send toothpaste and toilet paper to relatives on the island. In his campaign, he received contributions from the pro-embargo U.S-Cuba Democracy PAC. Rep. Kuhl needs to hear from constituents urging him to support their interests, notthose of a pro-embargo PAC.

Rep. John McHugh R-23rd is judged a swing vote on Cuba travel. He voted against loosening even the most inhumane portions of the embargo last week even though he voted for this measure a year earlier. He has shown willingness in the past to vote for loosening the Cuba travel ban and needs to hear from constituents with the message that they support ending the travel restrictions and he should represent their wishes in thevotes next week!

Using this information, please call, write, meet with, and email these members urging them to represent New York constituents, who do not support the travel restrictions. If writing a letter, it is best to fax it, as regular mail can take up to 3 or 4 weeks to arrive! Also, please forward this email to as many friends, family, and allies as possible.

Message: Urge all your members of Congress to vote in favor of easing travel restrictions in votes next week. For members that have received money from this hardline Cuban-American PAC, let them know that you expect them to vote according to the wishes of their constituents on Cuba policy and that you hope their votes will not be motivated by donations from out-of-state interest groups.

For contact information, go to Washington Pipeline section of this site, or call 202-225-3121 and ask to be transferred to their offices.

Thanks for your action!

Best wishes,

Latin America Working Group
Washington Office on Latin America