Timeline of McGovern Efforts to Champion Normalized Relations with Cuba

Washington, May 1, 2000

May 2000: McGovern writes OpEd in LA times urging Bill Clinton to end Cuba sanctionsFeb 2013: McGovern goes on CNN, urges normalizing relations with CubaAugust 2015: McGovern travels to Cuba with Secretary John Kerry for reopening of U.S. Embassy

December 2015: McGovern launches Bi-Partisan Cuba Working Group in Congress

March 2016: McGovern travels to Cuba with President Obama and Speaker Pelosi to celebrate historic shift towards normalized relations. He had previously been part of a small group meeting with Obama urging him to take this important step.

January 2017: McGovern introduces Freedom to Travel to Cuba BillFebruary 2017: Travels to Cuba to urge increased economy partnership between U.S. and CubaAugust 2017: McGovern speaks out against Trump rhetoric against Venezuela

November 2018: McGovern and Cuban Ambassador José Ramón Cabañas write OpEd urging normalized relations and an end to sanctions.April 2019: McGovern speaks out Against Trump Cuba Policy

July 2019: McGovern chairs Human Rights Commission hearing about “growing concern that the sanctions are deepening the humanitarian crisis and further undermining Venezuelans’ economic and social rights.”

August 2019: McGovern speaks out against Trump sanctions against Venezuela

January 2021: McGovern sends letter to President Biden urging him to reverse Trump’s Cubapolicy

May 2021: McGovern sends letter to President Biden about Venezuela

July 2021: McGovern publicly criticizes Biden’s Cuba Policy

October, 2022: McGovern chairs Human Rights Commission hearing about “unintended consequences” of sanctions in Venezuela

December, 2021: McGovern send letter to Biden urging an end to Cuba sanctions.

December 2022: McGovern visits Havana, meets with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, urges normalizing relations

January 2023: McGovern sends letter to President Biden about Venezuela

May 2023: McGovern writes OpEd in the Boston Globe urging Biden to end Cuba sanctions

May, 2024: McGovern applauds Biden Administration’s Decision to Remove Cuba from List of Countries Deemed Uncooperative on Counterterrorism