Heller along on Obama’s historic trip to Cuba
WASHINGTON — Sen. Dean Heller on Monday was in Cuba along with other members of Congress and business leaders as part of President Barack Obama’s historic trip to the island nation.
Comments from Heller were not available.
According to a list provided by the White House, the Nevada Republican was one of eight senators on the visit. Heller and Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona were the two Republicans.
House members numbered 31 and included House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California.
Business leaders on the list included those from Xerox, Fubu, Starwood and Marriott.
In the past, Heller has offered mixed reactions to Obama’s efforts to normalize relations between the U.S. and its communist-led neighbor.
He has voiced support for re-establishing diplomatic relations but believes concerns surrounding basic freedoms and human rights issues in Cuba must be addressed before full bilateral relations can be achieved.
In July, he marked the “historic day” that saw the reopening of embassies in both countries.
Heller had visited Cuba just days before that event as part of a small congressional delegation trying to assess the progress being made in the bid toward improving relations.
Other congressional delegations made similar visits.
Obama announced his bid for the U.S. to restore full relations with Cuba in late 2014.
If successful, that move is expected to allow more travel between the two countries and eventually a vote in Congress to lift the economic embargo against Cuba that dates back to the Cold War.
Contact Jim Myers at jmyers@reviewjournal.com or 202-783-1760. Find @myers_dc on Twitter.
