Unfortunately, our sanctions on Cuba have denied Cubans access to technology that has empowered individuals around the world.

Our goal has been, and always will be, to facilitate peaceful changes that lead to a free and pluralistic Cuba.

The President's policy has reset the geopolitical calculus in the region and will provide new opportunities for cooperation.

Human rights and freedom of expression must be central to all of our engagements with the Cuban Government.

Is it not true that the vast majority of the impediment to access to the Internet and technology in Cuba is a result of Cuban Government censorship?

I am very proud. They are one of the first United States businesses to take advantage of new economic opportunities in Cuba that my colleagues, some who sit on this committee, would take away.

The reason why people in Cuba do not have access to the Internet ultimately is because the Cuban Government will not allow it.

Their views on human rights are not legitimate. They are immoral.

We've also heard multiple anecdotes from Cuban democracy leaders and political prisoners who have told us that during the beatings and attacks against them now, they are mocked with comments, such as 'this one is courtesy of Obama' and…

There is no economic opening to Cuba. There is an economic opening to GAESA, which is the Cuban military-run holding company.

Cuban dictator Raul Castro has since been named for the first time as one of Time's 100 Most Influential People.

I have talked about it extensively in the past. As I listen to some of this conversation, I think there is still this perception that somehow the reason why there is no Internet infrastructure in Cuba is because the United States has not…

Since President Obama's December 17 announcement to establish ties with the Castro government, there has been an increase in the number of Cubans risking their lives to reach freedom in the United States.

The proposed solution to both is simply to provide greater flexibility to States and districts to spend Federal funds in ways that best support the education of their children.

I believe there must be both rigorous academic standards and expectations in each State, and an accountability system that is reasonably related to achieving those standards.

There is no question but that programs based on 'innovation' should be time limited and that States should be required to show objective results within a specified period of time.

Genuine improvement efforts will take 3-5 years to become habits.

The Federal role should be to ensure high standards in each State (but not dictate what those standards should be).