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2005 Ron Paul Chapter 16
Not linked on Ron Paul’s Congressional website.
Congressional Record [.PDF]
Harmful And Counterproductive United States Embargo On Cuba
2 February 2005
HON. RON PAUL
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, February 2, 2005
2005 Ron Paul 16:1
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise again this Congress to introduce a bill to lift the harmful
and counterproductive United States Embargo
on Cuba.
2005 Ron Paul 16:2
On June 29, 2001, the Texas State legislature adopted a resolution calling for an end to
U.S. economic sanctions against Cuba. Lawmakers
emphasized the failure of sanctions to
remove Castro from power, and the unwillingness
of other nations to respect the embargo.
One Texas Representative stated: “We have a
lot of rice and agricultural products, as well as
high-tech products, that would be much
cheaper for Cuba to purchase from Texas. All
that could come through the ports of Houston
and Corpus Christi.” I wholeheartedly support
this resolution, and I have introduced similar
Federal legislation in past years to lift all trade,
travel, and telecommunications restrictions
with Cuba. I only wish Congress understood
the simple wisdom expressed in Austin; so
that we could end the harmful and ineffective
trade sanctions that serve no national purpose.
2005 Ron Paul 16:3
I oppose economic sanctions for two very simple reasons. First, they don’t work as effective
foreign policy. Time after time, we have
failed to unseat despotic leaders by refusing to
trade with the people of those nations. If anything,
the anti-American sentiment aroused by
sanctions often strengthens the popularity of
such leaders, who use America as a convenient
scapegoat to divert attention from their
own tyranny. So while sanctions may serve
our patriotic fervor, they mostly harm innocent
citizens and do nothing to displace the governments
we claim as enemies.
2005 Ron Paul 16:4
Second, sanctions hurt American industries, particularly agriculture. Sanctions destroy
American jobs. Every market we close to our
Nation’s farmers is a market exploited by foreign
farmers. China, Russia, the Middle East,
North Korea, and Cuba all represent huge
markets for our farm products, yet many in
Congress favor current or proposed trade restrictions
that prevent our farmers from selling
to the billions of people in these countries.
Given our status as one of the world’s largest
agricultural producers, why would we ever
choose to restrict our exports? The only beneficiaries
of our sanctions policies are our foreign
competitors.
2005 Ron Paul 16:5
I certainly understand the emotional feelings many Americans have toward nations such as
Cuba. Yet we must not let our emotions overwhelm
our judgment in foreign policy matters,
because ultimately human lives are at stake.
Economic common sense, self-interested foreign
policy goals, and humanitarian ideals all
point to the same conclusion: Congress
should work to end economic sanctions
against all nations immediately.
2005 Ron Paul 16:6
The legislation I introduce today is representative of true free trade in that while it
opens trade, it prohibits the U.S. Taxpayer
from being compelled to subsidize the United
States government, the Cuban government or
individuals or entities that choose to trade with
Cuban citizens.
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