Washington, D.C. – Today, in a rare display of bipartisanship, an overwhelming majority of the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution authored by U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) that vows solidarity with Cuban citizens demanding freedom, condemns the Communist regime’s repressive acts, and calls for swift release of its arbitrarily detained citizens.

The resolution passed by a 382-40 vote, with strong support from both sides of the aisle – a rare occurrence in a closely divided Congress. This unified House message comes in the run-up to peaceful grassroots protests planned for Nov. 15 in Cuba. Today’s House resolution was passed with crucial support from Democrat Rep. Albio Sires, Chairman of the House Foreign Relations Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, and Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25). Majority Leader Steny Hoyer was also crucial in bringing this resolution to the floor.  

“Today, Congress sends a strong, unified message to the brave Cubans who risked so much on July 11 to strive for real freedom and true self-governance: the American people are firmly by your side,” said Wasserman Schultz. “A vast bipartisan majority of House Members today agreed that we needed to clearly say that we hear the passionate human cry for self-determination ringing out from the streets of Havana. That cry has united Democrats and Republicans behind the just and urgent demands for freedom from the tyranny of this oppressive regime.” 

“The citizen awakening that began in July in San Antonio de los Baños, just ten miles from the town where I was born, continues to spread through Cuba. Cubans are clamoring for political freedom, economic opportunity, and a different future in which they choose their own leaders,” said Sires. “The regime has responded with brutal beatings of journalists and protesters and by cutting off internet access in a desperate effort to hide the reality in Cuba from the rest of the world. I thank Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz for her leadership and commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for passing this pivotal resolution and defending Cubans’ right to protest peacefully on July 11th, November 15th and every day thereafter.”   

“The Cuban people have faced 62 years of a brutal, oppressive, and murderous dictatorship that has silenced, imprisoned, and even killed anyone who has dared to speak against them,” said Diaz-Balart. “On July 11, 2021, they bravely took to the streets demanding freedom. Unfortunately, many of the brave peaceful protesters remain imprisoned and threatened simply for demanding their God-given liberty. It is time for the United States and the international community to stand up for those who have been silenced for far too long. I commend my colleague, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, for her steadfast support, leadership, and solidarity with the Cuban people. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution for the cause of freedom and human rights in Cuba.”

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