A Congressional delegation comprised of six Democrats will head to Cuba this weekend.
This is the first Congressional delegation to visit Cuba since President Barack Obama announced a change of policy, effectively easing the decades old embargo.
Their itinerary includes meetings with Cuban government officials, a possible meeting with Cardinal Jaime Ortega Alamino, possible meetings with representatives of Cuba’s civil society, a visit to the U.S. Interests Section, and a meeting with other ambassadors to Cuba. The delegation will travel to Cuba on Saturday, and return Monday evening.
A spokesman for Sen. Richard Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, tells CNN, the delegation will seek “clarity from Cuba on what they envision normalization of relations to look like, and , “going beyond past rote responses such as ‘end the embargo.”
The spokesman says the Congressional members, “hope to develop a sense of what Cuba and United States are prepared to do to make a constructive relationship possible. ” The delegation will also, “impress upon Cuban leaders the importance of concrete results and positive momentum, ” And, “Convey a sense of Americans’ expectations, and perceptions in Congress.”
The delegates besides Durbin include:
Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, who is heading the delegation
Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island
Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland
Rep. Peter Welch of Vermont