Bill Delahunt: “the committee recommends $9 million for democracy programs in Cuba. I want to be sure that no one is misled by a claim…”

“the committee recommends $9 million for democracy programs in Cuba. I want to be sure that no one is misled by a claim that this is a cut. This is the same amount that the program received last year. And last November, as has been noted, the GAO found serious problems with the administration of this program, as well as a lack of accountability which must be addressed, and this has not happened. The report is entitled 'U.S. Democracy Assistance for Cuba Needs Better Management and Oversight.' So to increase the funding to almost $50 million, or by about 500 percent, is not just irresponsible, it has an Alice in Wonderland quality about it. Reward mismanagement and incompetence. No, my friends. The committee has acted wisely and I applaud the committee. It is demanding a spending plan and a strategy for how the funds will be used so we no longer will be sending cashmere sweaters to the tropical island of Cuba. Yes, this actually happened. I know it is hard to believe. This program does not need any more money. What it needs is what it has never had before, and that is vigorous congressional oversight.”