Heya Lady P. Menendez also blasted BO peep. Also some other Demos came out on it too.
U.S. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) today blasted President Obama's decision to begin re-establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba and easing economic restrictions imposed on the communist country. Angry over Obama's failure to consult him on the talks involving Cuba, which lasted more than a year,
Menendez said he would not approve easing the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba, which can only be done by Congress, and called on the incoming chairman of the committee, Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) to hold hearings when the new Congress convenes in January. "Its a reward that a totalitarian regime does not deserve," Menendez said. "
I reject the notion that somehow it is the United States that has created hardship on the Cuban people."
Menendez said it looked like the U.S. was trading spies for Gross. "It was swap of convicted spies for an innocent American," Menendez said. "Trading Mr. Gross for three convicted criminals sets an extremely dangerous precedent.
It invites dictatorial and rogue regimes to use Americans serving overseas as bargaining chips."
Reps. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) and Albio Sires (D-8th Dist.) have introduced legislation named for Foerster that would require the executive branch to tell Congress what the U.S. is doing to extradite fugitives from Cuba and other countries. “Rather than bringing the Cuban people closer to democracy and freedom, by capitulating to the Castro brothers, the administration allows them to strengthen their grip on the Cuban people," said
Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.). "
Whatever joy we feel at the release of Alan Gross is tempered by the sadness that our president is enabling tyranny.”
And Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-9th Dist.) said he would "insist that any opening of relations comes side-by-side with an opening of the Cuban government's political system from totalitarianism to one that respects democracy, human rights, and personal freedoms.".....snip~
Menendez on Obama Cuba deal: 'I think it stinks' | NJ.com