Cuba

Sen. Patrick Leahy led efforts over the years for fundamental changes in U.S. policy toward Cuba, including pushing for an end to the law that prevents most Americans from visiting Cuba. 

In December, the President wisely charted a course that will promote reconciliation between the people of our two countries, advance our national interests in the hemisphere, and provide hope for democratic change in Cuba.

The response to the President’s announcement here and abroad has been overwhelmingly positive, from the U.S. business and agriculture communities to our allies around the world, and on the streets of Havana. Common sense dictates that it is beneath the United States to continue treating a tiny neighbor that poses no threat and whose people have much in common with us as an enemy.

Leahy also long sought the release of Alan Gross, a U.S. Government contractor held in Cuban prison, and visited him twice in the prison where he was held for five years.  In December 2014, Leahy went to Cuba with Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Judy Gross, and others, to bring Alan Gross home.
You can read an editorial by Leahy, "Is 53 Years Long Enough To Conclude That Our Cuba Policy Has Failed," here.

People can sign up to receive email updates regarding how President Obama’s declaration normalizing relations with Cuba might impact the ability to travel to or trade with Cuba. The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control are expecting to issue new regulations in a couple of weeks.

You can sign up here.

Here are the new regulations regarding travel, travel services, trade, remittances and banking with Cuba:  http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/31cfr515_new.pdf

And here is a link to the Frequently Asked Questions:    http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_faqs_new.pdf

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