Cuba- Last Week’s Mistakes By Members Of Congress/Advocates Could Hurt U.S. Companies
/Cuba- Last Week’s Mistakes By Members Of Congress/Advocates Could Hurt U.S. Companies
Cuba Advocacy & Lobbying Can Be Effective…. Usually Ensuring More Next Year
Failure Now Creates Revenue Opportunities For Advocates & Lobbyists
192 Days Remaining….
12 July 2016
"There is real momentum," said The Honorable Mark Sanford (R- South Carolina), a member of the United States House of Representatives, last week. He then had no mention of the events of last week on his www.house.gov page as of 9 July 2016.
“…a proper path forward and we agreed to find a solution that does a number of things,” said The Honorable Rick Crawford (R- Arkansas), a member of the United States House of Representatives, last week. He also shared “a long-term solution,” “thorough examination,” and “deliberative process across each relevant committee of jurisdiction.” Representative Crawford then had no mention of the events of last week on his www.house.gov page as of 9 July 2016.
“… a historic compromise” and “major step forward,” said Washington, DC-based EngageCuba, adding “reached an agreement to find a long-term solution to provide credit for the export of agricultural commodities to Cuba.”
And, the organization’s president, Mr. James Williams, offered this to those who have opposed his efforts, “their position is no longer tenable.” Is this a winning-votes strategy by a grass-roots organizer or a self-professed effective advocate/consultant/lobbyist?
“…redouble its efforts with this Congress,” said Ms. Devry Vorwerk of the Washington, DC-based U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba. Would this be the 114th Congress about to recess for the upcoming elections, with few remaining legislative days before formally adjourning in December 2016?
The government of the Republic of Cuba could not have been enthusiastic when their advocates engineered not one, but two, legislative failures within twenty-four (24) hours.
The result all but assures no legislation in the 114th Congress and simultaneously harms the foundations for advocacy in the 115th Congress- during which issues relating to the Republic of Cuba will again not be a priority for the leadership in either the United States House of Representatives or the United States Senate; or probably the next president.
Why are advocates focusing upon legislation when regulation and policy change are more efficient mechanisms by which to expand the commercial, economic and political relationship between the United States the Republic of Cuba during the remaining 192 days of the Obama Administration?
One reason, jobs- their own that is. Did the Members of Congress coordinate their efforts with the self-appointed Republic of Cuba policy advocates? If so, how should responsibility for the failures be apportioned?