Byron Dorgan: “We changed the law with respect to trade with Cuba so that we could sell agricultural products into the Cuban…”

“We changed the law with respect to trade with Cuba so that we could sell agricultural products into the Cuban marketplace. Last year, for the first time in 42 years, 22 train carloads of dried peas left North Dakota to go to the Cuban people. Cuba paid cash for it. Our farmers were able to sell into the Cuban marketplace. Good for them. But this issue of travel and denying farm organizations, including the Farm Bureau, the right to go to Cuba to promote food sales is just unbelievable. There are times, not very often, but there are times when I am profoundly embarrassed by the actions of this Government. Yesterday was one of them, when this young lady came to see me to say: I am really concerned and upset about this because I went to Cuba to distribute free Bibles, and now my Government is slapping me with a $10,000 fine. That is an unforgivable policy, in my judgment.”