Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: “with over 160,000 American students studying abroad each year, the United States acknowledges the potential contribution…”

“with over 160,000 American students studying abroad each year, the United States acknowledges the potential contribution of true educational exchanges, and Cuba is no exception. Under current law, educational activities by American students in Cuba are permitted. In fact, under current law, these activities are enhanced by regulating the manner in which students may fulfill these study semesters abroad. Therefore, if it is truly the opportunity for education that the Lee amendment attempts to preserve, then I would like to respectfully remind my colleagues here today that American students are afforded this opportunity through the implementation of current regulations. The regulations in place merely serve to ensure that those students traveling for educational purposes are doing just that. Current law establishes that specific licenses for educational activities be preserved for undergraduate and graduate institutions. These measures were enacted and must been enforced to prevent the abuse of educational activities such as spring break getaways and island shopping sprees. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``no'' for the Lee amendment because educational travel is already permitted.”