Jeff Flake

I frankly think the language the administration put forward is a good start, and maybe amended some.

I think the administration needs and deserves the space to pursue every opportunity for an agreement.

I have been very supportive of what the administration has done.

I think that they can most effectively be pursued if we have diplomatic relations.

I have been also supportive of the administration pursuing negotiations.

The notion that every dollar spent ends up in the hands of Cuban military simply is not the case.

The question is not this policy or a policy in a perfect world. It is this policy compared to the nonengagement that we had before.

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…

We have not for about 50 years now. And now at least there is a possibility that we might be able to make some improvements and see increased freedom for the Cuban people.

I applaud the administration for taking this position and for pursuing this.

I think that is something that a lot of us have always believed.

I have traveled to Cuba a number of times and have met with Ms. Leiva and your husband in prior years.

I have quoted him often in a piece in the 'New York Times' in 2003 I think.

It would be untrue and it would certainly be a stretch for me to say that every travel dollar goes into the hand of an ordinary Cuban citizen.

I have always said if somebody is going to restrict my travel, it should be a Communist.

There is no guarantee that if we completely got rid of the travel ban... Congress needs to move to...

I would view it the same way in terms of travel. We have had various programs. We spend, I think, about $20 million a year on democracy programs trying to give more Cubans access to the Internet, for example.

This will be a fully functioning embassy.

I rise in opposition to this amendment. I believe we do need more certainty, and the certainty ought to be that it is time for this tax credit--particularly the wind PTC--to expire. This was enacted 23 years ago as a temporary tax measure…

Arizonans have paid the price, a disproportionate price, for a long time for the Federal Government's failure to have a secure border.

I believe we need to do a lot with regard to immigration policy.

I hope it works. I hope that this committee and the Congress ensures that it does work.

My concern is that our ability or our desire for Iran to stick to the nuclear side of the agreement might prevent us from challenging Iran or punishing Iran on their nonnuclear behavior.

I come out against the agreement, but I feel it was a close call.

What concerns me is that if we are reluctant, if the administration is reluctant, to clarify with legislation...