Do you agree or disagree with my position that these democracy programs are essential to help the civil society and the democratic opposition in Cuba flourish?

We condemn any conditions or restrictions placed on citizens who peacefully exercise their fundamental freedoms, whether they are recently released political prisoners or not.

The pursuit of friendship between the United States of America and Cuba is inseparable from the pursuit of liberty.

would it be a mistake to move forward on changes with policy toward Cuba without direct and ongoing consultation with civil society and the democratic opposition on the island.

The important point is that the Government of Cuba is really not sovereign because they are not elected. They are a totalitarian government.

And that is our hope here, to see what we can do with American foreign policy to bring that day about soon.

There is no moral equivalence between our view of human rights and theirs?

I am very proud. They are one of the first United States businesses to take advantage of new economic opportunities in Cuba that my colleagues, some who sit on this committee, would take away.

The reason why people in Cuba do not have access to the Internet ultimately is because the Cuban Government will not allow it.

I believe every member of this committee this morning, as I do the vast majority of Americans and policymakers, share the goals of democracy and freedom on the island of Cuba.

Did the negotiators reach out to you as someone in charge of the human rights portfolio?

It was a bad deal, and I will oppose any further changes to U.S. policy.