A resolution expressing solidarity with Cuban citizens demonstrating peacefully for fundamental freedoms, condemning the Cuban regime's acts of repression, and calling for the immediate release of arbitrarily detained Cuban citizens.

Mr. President, I am proud to come to the floor today to ask for unanimous consent on this bipartisan resolution expressing solidarity with the people of Cuba. This resolution passed out of the Foreign Relations Committee by a voice vote, with overwhelming bipartisan support.

I want to thank the senior Senator from Florida for his partnership on this resolution, which has the support of Senators Durbin, Kaine; Senator Risch, the ranking member on the Foreign Relations Committee; as well as many others on both sides of the aisle.

In passing this resolution today, the U.S. Senate can send a powerful message about the truly historic events occurring in Cuba in recent weeks.

On July 11, in an unprecedented wave of demonstrations across the island, the Cuban people peacefully took to the streets and raised their voices to call for freedom and an end to tyranny. We saw the courage of the Cuban people. Images of Cubans chanting ``abajo la dictadura,'' which means ``down with the dictatorship,'' and singing ``Patria y Vida,'' or ``Fatherland and Life,'' spread around the globe. Yet the Diaz-Canel regime responded with an authoritarian crackdown and violent repression out of fear of losing its iron grip over the Cuban people.

The regime cut the internet to stop the Cuban people from accessing social media--a tool they were bravely using to open the eyes of the world. Who does that? Only a country that fears its people shuts down the internet. But it was too late. The truth went viral.

The regime has arrested more than 700 people, and most remain incommunicado. Dozens more are already being subjected to summary trials, without access to legal defense or even a veneer of due process. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights have all spoken out against the Cuban regime's campaign of oppression.

President Biden rightfully and repeatedly denounced the regime's actions and has announced two rounds of Global Magnitsky sanctions on human rights abusers. The President has brought together allies of Cuban freedom both at home and abroad. On Friday, the President convened a meeting of Cuban-American leaders to discuss this crisis and hear our suggestions on how to best support the pro-democracy efforts underway in Cuba.

Last week, Secretary of State Blinken led a coalition of 20 countries in a joint statement to express international solidarity with the Cuban people and their rights to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom to determine their own future.

While important steps are being taken, more needs to be done. The Cuban people, in this unprecedented hour of uncertainty and need, cannot afford anything less than our full support.

With this resolution, the Senate will add its voice to the ongoing efforts and reinforce U.S. solidarity with the Cuban people and their efforts to restore democracy and human rights in their country. It is the same resolution that is also being offered in the House of Representatives on the same bipartisan basis.

Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 111, S. Res. 310; further, that the committee-reported substitute amendment to the resolution be agreed to; the resolution, as amended, be agreed to; the preamble be agreed to; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution (S. Res. 310) expressing solidarity with Cuban citizens demonstrating peacefully for fundamental freedoms, condemning the Cuban regime's acts of repression, and calling for the immediate release of arbitrarily detained Cuban citizens, which had been reported from the Committee on Foreign Relations, with an amendment to strike all after the resolving clause and insert the part printed in italic, as follows

S. Res. 310

Whereas, on July 11, 2021, thousands of Cuban citizens took

to the streets to peacefully protest and to call for respect

for basic human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the end

of the dictatorship in Cuba;

Whereas the demonstrations were the largest protests

witnessed on the island in 25 years, with courageous Cuban

men, women, and youth taking to the streets in at least 50

different cities and towns across every province to affirm a

deep aspiration for democratic change and to denounce the

regime's corruption;

Whereas the nationwide protests represent the full

diversity of Cuban society, with demonstrators proudly

proclaiming ``Patria y Vida!'' (Homeland and Life!) and

calling for ``libertad'' (liberty);

Whereas the demonstrations in Cuba follow months of severe

shortages of food and basic medicine, frequent power outages,

record high rates of transmission of COVID-19, and the Cuban

regime's ineffective response, in addition to the Cuban

regime's continued repression and arbitrary imprisonment of

citizens, peaceful activists, and artists;

Whereas, despite the authoritarian regime's blocking of

internet service to prevent the spread of information about

the demonstrations, Cubans witnessed examples of their

compatriots demanding change in their country and

courageously joined the growing protests;

Whereas, despite the peaceful nature of the demonstrations,

Miguel Diaz-Canel incited violence among Cubans and

encouraged his supporters to attack peaceful protestors,

declaring in a televised address, ``the order to fight has

been given--into the streets'' and pledged his supporters'

lives: ``Over our dead bodies. We are prepared to do

anything'';

Whereas Diaz-Canel has sought to delegitimize peaceful

protesters, crudely stating they constitute a small group of

``vulgar criminals'' that are ``paid'' to be disruptive;

Whereas Diaz-Canel sought to blame the endemic problems

causing so much human suffering by the Cuban people on

outside forces instead of on the Cuban regime's long-standing

corruption, mismanagement, and theft of public resources;

Whereas the Cuban regime's domestic security apparatus,

including military and police, were recorded on video

violently repressing peaceful Cuban citizens, including by

using live ammunition and attacking journalists;

Whereas numerous reports indicate deaths of and injuries to

Cuban protestors at the hands of the regime's security

forces, including instances of police firing live ammunition

into crowds and at least one documented police beating that

led to a civilian death;

Whereas independent Cuban civil society groups have

reported that hundreds of individuals have been arrested,

detained, or are missing;

Whereas defying regime repression, continued internet

shutdowns, and illegal searches of the homes of activists and

protestors, Cuban men, women, and youth continued to

peacefully protest throughout the island on

Monday, July 12, using social media to organize themselves

and document acts of regime repression;

Whereas international human rights groups, including Human

Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the United Nations

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, have long

condemned the Cuban regime for violating human rights and

fundamental freedoms; and

Whereas for years the Cuban regime has exported its

authoritarian methods to Venezuela, sending intelligence

personnel to assist Venezuelan security forces as they

repressed similar peaceful protests calling for democratic

change: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, [That the Senate--

[(1) expresses its strong solidarity with the people of

Cuba in their desire to live in a free and democratic country

with uncensored access to information, justice, and economic

prosperity;

[(2) condemns the violence ordered by Miguel Diaz-Canel

against peaceful protesters as violations of internationally

recognized human rights that does nothing to address Cuba's

challenges;

[(3) calls on Cuban forces--

[(A) to respect the Cuban people's exercise of freedom of

assembly, freedom of expression, and other universal human

rights;

[(B) to refrain from restricting internet access and

connectivity in the country; and

[(C) to permit Cuban citizens to freely communicate on

digital platforms, as is their fundamental right;

[(4) calls for the immediate and unconditional release of

all arbitrarily detained Cuban citizens and all Cuban

political prisoners;

[(5) calls on members of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed

Forces, the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, and Cuba's

National Revolutionary Police Force to refrain from violently

repressing peaceful protesters and committing other human

rights violations; and

[(6) urges democratic governments and legislatures in

Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean--

[(A) to pledge their support for freedom and democracy in

Cuba; and

[(B) to speak out against the repression of demonstrators

in Cuba.]

That the Senate--

(1) expresses its strong solidarity with the people of Cuba

in their desire to live in a free and democratic country with

uncensored access to information, justice, and economic

prosperity;

(2) condemns the violence ordered by Miguel Diaz-Canel

against peaceful protesters as violations of internationally

recognized human rights that does nothing to address Cuba's

challenges;

(3) calls on Cuban forces--

(A) to respect the Cuban people's exercise of freedom of

assembly, freedom of expression, and other universal human

rights;

(B) to refrain from restricting internet access and

connectivity in the country; and

(C) to permit Cuban citizens to freely communicate on

digital platforms, as is their fundamental right;

(4) calls for the immediate and unconditional release of

all arbitrarily detained Cuban citizens and all Cuban

political prisoners;

(5) calls on members of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed

Forces, the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, and Cuba's

National Revolutionary Police Force to refrain from violently

repressing peaceful protesters and committing other human

rights violations;

(6) urges foreign governments, including authoritarian

regimes, to halt the provision of technology, equipment, and

other forms of assistance that are increasing the capability

of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, the Cuban Ministry

of the Interior, and Cuba's National Revolutionary Police

Force to violently repress peaceful protestors, curtail

freedom of expression through censorship of the internet, and

commit other human rights abuses; and

(7) urges democratic governments and legislatures in

Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean--

(A) to pledge their support for freedom and democracy in

Cuba; and

(B) to speak out against the repression of demonstrators in

Cuba.

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I totally agree that the Castro regime and its prodigy is a communist-socialist dictatorship in tyranny. Before the Senator was ever in this institution or involved with the issue, for 30 years, I have been saying exactly that.

The Senator, however, knows that in order to accept an amendment to a resolution that has been hotlined in both caucuses, this process could not move forward. I cannot simply accept the amendment. I would have to go through the whole process. And the fact of the matter is, I think there is a fierce urgency of now. This resolution already has the approval of 99 Senators, and if the Senator were to insist on his amendment, the junior Senator from Florida would be the only one standing in its way.

This bipartisan resolution is cosponsored by 19 Senators. The initiative is co-led by Senator Rubio, the senior Senator from Florida, the ranking member of the Senate Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere affairs. It is sponsored by Senator Risch, the ranking member of the full Foreign Relations Committee. It is supported by Senators Cruz and Romney and Hagerty, all of them leading Republican voices on the Foreign Relations Committee. With this strong Republican backing, the Foreign Relations Committee passed this resolution last Wednesday on a voice vote, with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Now, intervening, we have had this infrastructure bill, and so we are here trying to get this finally done. We have an opportunity to act today and send a powerful, bipartisan message in support of the Cuban people and condemn the regime's brutal repression.

Now, I personally agree with the sentiment of the junior Senator from Florida, but that reality is the reality that

has existed. We are talking about the reality today of trying to send a bipartisan, bicameral message.

This resolution already condemns its present Cuban dictator, Miguel Diaz-Canel, by name for his direct role in ordering a violent crackdown against the Cuban people. It also documents the massive wave of arrests in Cuba. It denounces in plain language the regime's brutal violence and its use of summary trials to arbitrarily sentence protesters who have no access to a lawyer.

So let me be clear. I have led U.S. and international efforts to oppose Cuba's communist dictatorship for 30 years in the Congress, including my role in helping create the Cuban Democracy Act and drafting the LIBERTAD Act. No one in Congress has a longer or more unwavering track record than I do when it comes to condemning the Cuban regime. But this resolution is a strong rebuke of the regime's recent actions, and it also achieves the bipartisan opportunity we need for Senate approval.

There comes a time when we have to put actions over words. Today, the Senate has a chance to act. We should not delay another hour in passing this resolution, and because that is exactly what would happen, I have to object to the Senator's amendment.

Mr. President, I appreciate that the Senator from Florida, while I share his sentiments, did not press forward on insisting on the amendment, which would have delayed this, and most importantly, I think the Cuban people are the ones who are going to thank him as well.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, yesterday marked 6 months since July 11--a day when brave Cubans all across that island marched for democracy, cried out for freedom, and sent a clear message that the time was up for the illegitimate communist regime.

From Havana to Santa Clara to Santiago de Cuba, the message of ``Patria y Vida!'' could be heard from the people. Cuban families and demonstrators stood against the revolution's motto of ``Patria o Muerte'' to once again declare that the revolution had failed.

That failed revolution promised prosperity and equality for all, but the only equal thing about it was poverty, suffering, and oppression for all. We watched as families gathered outside the headquarters of the Cuban Communist Party to chant ``Cuba isn't yours!'' Their message was clear: It is time for a new day of freedom and democracy in Cuba.

Instead of listening to the cries of their people, the communist Cuban regime lashed out with violence and the oppression it has used for more than 60 years to silence opposition to its reign. The regime and its thugs kidnapped innocent democracy activists and kept others trapped in their homes. Right now, hundreds of Cubans have been indefinitely detained or unjustly sentenced to prison simply for demanding basic human rights.

Some of these protesters are facing prison sentences as long as 30 years. One of them is Jose Daniel Ferrer, the leader of the pro- democracy UNPACU group and a dedicated freedom and human rights activist. Since his detainment, I have had the chance to talk to his family several times. Each time we speak, the stories they tell me are more heartbreaking.

Jose Daniel is being tortured by the communist regime in an attempt to end his life. He is suffering from severe headaches, mouth bleeding, malnutrition, cough, and insomnia--all products of the cruel torture and inhumane treatment from the regime.

We can also think about Felix Navarro, another longtime freedom activist who helps lead a pro-democracy group on the island. He was arrested, not for demonstrating but for asking police about the status of some of the members of his group who had been detained.

Reports indicate even young teenagers are being detained indefinitely.

The unjust imprisonment, beatings, and torture of the Cuban people is abhorrent. It is inhumane, and it cannot be tolerated. It is clear that these actions stem from the regime's paralyzing fear over the freedom movement spreading across Cuba. They are terrified that there is a new day of freedom on the rise for the Cuban people, so they resort to total oppression and to the silencing of any mention of independence or freedom.

As the greatest beacon of freedom and democracy in the world, the United States must stand against the communist regime and with the Cuban people. I am thankful that U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols recently called for the immediate release of the July 11 demonstrators. Along with his calls, we need the voices of President Biden and Secretary Blinken, and their calls need to be coupled with action that actually pressures the illegitimate communist Cuban regime now.

It was only a couple of weeks ago when I called the White House to talk about the case of Jose Daniel Ferrer. The first time I called, they asked me to leave a message, so I did. When I called the next day, the White House hung up on me.

Throughout his entire first year in office, Joe Biden has been shamefully silent about Cuba. Just like he does with communist China, Biden's strategy on Cuba is to do the bare minimum. Even while the protests were ongoing, he did nothing to alleviate the suffering of the Cuban people.

Compare that to the Organization of American States. After I spoke with them a few weeks ago, Secretary General Luis Almagro issued a statement demanding the immediate release of all arbitrarily imprisoned political prisoners. He expressed special concern for the well-being of Jose Daniel Ferrer and urged the Cuban regime to allow a humanitarian mission that can immediately verify the state and situation of political prisoners in the country.

Why can't Joe Biden make that same request? Where is the President? He has had 6 months to help provide internet to the Cuban people to help disseminate information and help the freedom movement, but he has done nothing. His silence is appeasement, and those of us who love freedom will not simply sit by idly while he refuses to act.

As long as the illegitimate communist Cuban regime continues to deny the people their freedom, democracy, and basic human rights, I am going to fight alongside them and demand action.

Today, the Senate can do something. Today, the U.S. Senate can pass a resolution honoring Cuban activists like Jose Daniel Ferrer, condemning the Cuban dictatorship's repression, and calling for the international community to stand with the Cuban people. I have introduced a resolution that does exactly that, and it is something that everyone in the Chamber should agree with.

I am thankful for Senators Marco Rubio and Mike Braun for cosponsoring this resolution. I am also thankful for Mario Diaz-Balart, Congresswoman Salazar, and Congressman Gimenez for introducing the companion resolution in the House.

We must make sure our message to the Cuban people is clear: America has not and will not forget you. We have seen your bravery and courage. We have heard your calls for freedom. You have risked everything for the freedom of Cubans across the island. You are an inspiration to us all.

I ask unanimous consent to address the Senate in Spanish.

Mr. President, I am glad to see this resolution pass.

I want to thank my colleagues, Senators Marco Rubio and Mike Braun, for cosponsoring this resolution and Congressman Diaz-Balart, Congresswoman Salazar, and Congressman Gimenez for supporting this resolution in the House.

In my roles as a U.S. Senator and the Governor of Florida, I have had the honor of meeting and speaking with countless Cubans who have risked their lives to flee Castro's brutal regime. Many of them came here with nothing, scarred by the oppression of the regime but hopeful for a new life. With what little they had, they started businesses and families and built thriving communities and are a major part of the economy of Florida.

We have all seen their resolve to fight for freedom, support their families, and contribute to their communities. They are an example of the American dream and a testimony to the ills of communism and socialism. The Cuban people are a source of inspiration for all of us. They show us what can be accomplished when you have freedom and opportunity.

That is why we continue to fight for the end of communism in Cuba and for the freedom and liberties of every Cuban family. It is why we should all join them and say ``Abajo la Dictadura!'' ``Patria, vida y Libertad!''

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, let me first say that I rise, in the first instance, before having heard the Senator's remarks, to say that I have serious concerns about the junior Senator from Florida's lack of respect for the regular order of the Senate.

On July 11, 2021, the Cuban people took to the streets in unprecedented protests, demanding democracy and the end of decades of dictatorship. Subsequently, the Senate came together in unanimous consent to pass my S. Res. 310. My bipartisan legislation expressed our unwavering solidarity with the Cuban people and called for the release of all political prisoners detained unjustly by the Diaz-Canel regime.

My legislation was the result of bipartisan negotiations, and it was approved unanimously by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. That is what regular order looks like, and it is a process that strengthens the impact of our work on foreign policy when we can speak together in one voice to promote that foreign policy, whether it is to the Cuban regime or whether it is in any other place in the world.

Now, I need to make the point that the junior Senator from Florida routinely disregards this process. In this particular case, not only has this resolution not been marked up by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, not only is it not bipartisan--as far as I know, nobody has been offered even the

opportunity to join it--but it hasn't even been introduced so that the Parliamentarian would decide where it would be sent to committee for referral for consideration. It hasn't even been introduced. It has not received the review it deserves. In fact, it has not received any formal review.

As I have repeatedly said as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I stand ready to work with any Member--and have done so--on initiatives that advance the national security interests of the United States and the defense of democracy and human rights. While there may be some urgent moments that require us to move legislation directly to the floor, regular order exists for a reason--to facilitate consensus and ensure that the legislation we consider on the floor reflects the input and expertise of Senators who sit on the relevant committees of jurisdiction.

Now, I have spent the last several days listening to my Republican colleagues talk about the fullness of legislative debate, of not preempting legislative debate, of not preempting prolonged legislative debate in the context of the filibuster. Here is a piece of legislation that hasn't even been introduced, but it is being brought directly to the floor. How does that promote legislative debate? It doesn't. It doesn't.

I happen to agree with the Senator about his focus here as it relates to those who are struggling inside of Cuba to create freedom, but I want to send a clarion message that I will not simply allow legislation that is in the purview of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to come directly to the floor without even an introduction, without review, without any debate, and then believe that one will just allow it to go through on unanimous consent. That is not how the Senate works.

I would urge the junior Senator from Florida to consider this for future legislative endeavors, especially as we are also concerned about the filibuster and extended debate. Well, this is the worst example of not having extended debate.

Lastly, I deeply disagree with the Senator's characterization--I wasn't even going to reference it--in having listened to his remarks, about the Biden administration. The Biden administration sanctioned individuals in Cuba, high-ranking individuals of the Cuban military, who have never been sanctioned before. The Biden administration led a multilateral effort for the condemnation of what happened in Cuba as a result of the citizens of Cuba seeking to simply redress their grievances against the dictatorship that exists there, and brought in countries that have never ever expressed themselves in such a way before. The Biden administration worked with the Secretary General of the OAS to take the strong position that the Senator referred to.

So I hate to say it, but this almost comes across as a naked, political, partisan effort to try to promote some perspective when, in fact, we should be embracing this together through regular order, in a bipartisan process, which the Cuban people, particularly those suffering inside of Cuba, deserve. However, because of this particular moment and at this particular time and having given the Senator good notice about other future endeavors--this is not the first time--I will not object.

Mr. President, I rise today in solidarity with the brave Cuban people fighting for freedom. For decades, the Cuban people suffered atrocities, oppression, and misery at the hands of the illegitimate communist Castro regime.

I have repeatedly told the story of Sirley Avila Leon, a Cuban woman who was attacked by communist Cuban security forces in 2015. They cut off her hand and stuck her arm in the mud to make sure it got infected. Her crime? She complained that the regime was going to shut down a school in her neighborhood.

I have spoken to brave leaders like Jose Daniel Ferrer and the courageous members of his Patriotic Union of Cuba, who are fighting every day to defend human rights, freedom, and the democratic movement in Cuba. Jose Daniel Ferrer is currently being detained by the communist regime, and his family doesn't know where he is. Activists like Jose Daniel Ferrer and the artists of the San Isidro Movement are the future of Cuba, not the ruthless communist regime.

This is the same communist regime that for decades has been the root of the instability we see across Latin America. The communist Cuban regime props up other dangerous dictators, like Maduro in Venezuela and Ortega in Nicaragua, threatening the region and the national security of the United States.

What we are seeing now in Cuba should send a clear message to the world: Communism is a failed ideology that does nothing but lead to suffering and oppression. Communism doesn't work. Socialism doesn't work.

The people of Cuba are crying out for freedom. They are denouncing the oppressive communist rule that has brought ruin to their nation for more than 60 years. This disgusting assault on the people of Cuba cannot go unchecked.

I very much appreciate my colleague's efforts to condemn the atrocities of the regime, but this resolution is missing one thing: These atrocities are undeniably linked to communism.

I stand today to offer a friendly amendment that simply condemns communism in this resolution, labeling the Cuban dictators Diaz-Canel and Raul Castro what they are: a ruthless, communist Cuban regime.

In America, we understand the value and importance of freedom in our everyday lives, and it is our duty to support and stand up for those who are oppressed by dictators and denied the right to live freely. It is our duty to speak the truth about communism.

I stand proudly with the heroic freedom fighters across Cuba who have taken to the streets, determined to regain their freedom and put an end to the communist Castro dictatorship.

To the people of Cuba: You are not alone. Together, we will defeat communism.

The freedom of Cuba is closer than ever, and we are not going to stop until we see a new day of freedom, democracy, and ``Patria y Vida'' in Cuba.

I urge my colleagues to support my important amendment today. Therefore, I ask that the Senator modify his request to include my amendment, which is at the desk; that the resolution, as amended, be agreed to; that the preamble, as amended, be agreed to; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, let me just read this. All I am saying is, the resolution would add ``condemns the murderous Communist party of Cuba for decades of oppression against the Cuban people, the destruction of the Cuban economy, and the destructive spread of communism in the Western Hemisphere.''

I wish my colleague from New Jersey would accept my simple but important, friendly amendment, but I will consent to allowing this resolution to move forward.

I will always stand proudly with the brave people in Cuba, fighting for their freedom, and against the brutal communist regime which continues to oppress them.

I yield the floor.