Jeff Flake actually said...
Well, thank you. As one who has traveled frequently to Cuba over the past 15 years, I can tell you, for several years there, it was tough to see any change or progress because the Cuban Government, it seemed they would loosen controls when they needed to and then tighten them again.
Context
Flake reflects on the inconsistent changes in Cuban government controls during his travels.
02/02/2015