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

Have we pronounced ourselves against these airlifts?

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.

adding these new positions is vital to U.S. national security and to supporting Cuban civil society.

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

But what does that mean 'sustainable'?

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.

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?

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.

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

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

the joint reform plan of Senators Rubio and Lee contains several provisions that would shift the tax code in the direction of a consumption tax.