Sen. Udall Leads Charge on Cuba Telecommunications Exports Legislation
Senators introduced legislation to make it easier for telecommunications companies to do business with Cuba after a recent administration shift in policy. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., introduced the Cuba Digital and Telecom Advancement Act (S-1389) Tuesday with co-sponsors Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Mike Enzi, R-Wyo. “As we work to open up relations with Cuba, ensuring Cubans can access the Internet and cellular technology is the first step toward lasting change,” Udall said in a statement (here). “Americans are eager to do business with Cubans and share information efficiently, but Cuba lacks the 21st-century technology needed for companies operating in a global economy.”
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The legislation would let companies export consumer communications devices and telecom services to Cuba, codify the administration’s policies on this front and “encourage financing and market reform by repealing outdated policies that prevent American businesses from investing in Cuba, including provisions that prevent financing, indirect financing, and assistance to Cuba from the U.S. and other countries,” a Udall news release said. The bill also would strike what it considers outdated parts of law that stop multilateral organizations from investing, the release said. The bill was referred to the Foreign Relations Committee, where Udall is a member.