Marco Rubio

We look forward to working with Congress to secure the necessary funding and approvals in order to add additional staff.

The record will remain open until the close of business on Thursday, April 28th.

I appreciate you participating in this, and I think it was informative.

There continues to be a large migration flow out of Cuba. It reflects the difficult economic and human rights conditions in the country.

What is driving this? I mean, Cuba has been repressive for 60 years. What is the difference now?

The minute the word gets out that if you can get into this country, they are going to put you on a plane and fly you close to the U.S. border so you can get it, you are encouraging more people to do this.

Have we pronounced ourselves against these airlifts?

I just have one more question, Mr. Palmieri, I wanted ask you. There has been a significant up-tick in the number of Cuban migrants just, for example, from October of last year through February.

We did provide additional authorities under the legislation in order to communicate with the North Korean people...

Well, my point is you are saying that you do not believe the island can sustain $20 million of spending on democracy programs.

Why then would the administration request a reduction from the $20 million that is provided annually in funding to democracy assistance for the Cuban people?

Cuba remains the only country in the Americas to be classified as not free by Freedom House.

The Secretary recently made his genocide designation. What steps has the Department taken to prioritize especially vulnerable communities like the ancient Christian or Yazidi communities which have found themselves in the crosshairs of…

America is uniquely situated--and routinely expected--to support peaceful democratic change.

We must continue supporting civil society and pressing governments to halt arbitrary detentions and uphold freedom of expression.

I support funding for programs that support human rights defenders and civil society organizations, those that promote religious freedom, strengthen accountability, and the rule of law.

This is an emergency. We should not be quibbling about it. It is an emergency, and our people are going to get sick, really sick.

I really have hope now. And I really believe, as we see the new government saying yes, they are going to pay back the bonds and make investors at least partially whole and maybe whole, it is an important point.

But what does that mean 'sustainable'?

It is very unusual for a government agency to ask for less.

Hey listen, and you know, don't vote for me in Ohio. Vote for John Kasich

Okay. Last question, is this money we are spending, is this budget assistance? Are we basically using it to help them fund their existing budget? Or are we only spending money on new programs for specific purposes?

What about, for example, the court systems? Have we invested in improving their criminal justice systems, their courts, their ability to prosecute and bring people to justice?

What exactly does this deal do to help improve the security? And is it being prioritized on security first?

Without security, none of these other things would matter, if you did not have a secure environment first.