McCollum Introduces Legislation to End Cuban Broadcast Funding

Washington, DC – This week, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) introduced the Stop Wasting Taxpayer Money on Cuba Broadcasting Act (H.R. 570) which would end U.S. taxpayer funding of Cuban television and radio networks. These networks have proven to be ineffective, small in their reach and they represent an outdated approach to our nation’s relationship with Cuba. Over the 30 years we have funded these efforts they have cost taxpayers $770 million. In 2015 Cuba broadcast will cost American taxpayers $27 million.

“Radio and TV Martí are outdated Cold War artifacts,” said Congresswoman McCollum. “Our taxpayers should not be funding propaganda broadcasting. Instead, we should be working to facilitate efforts for the American people to engage directly with the Cuban people. As our country modernizes our diplomacy with Cuba for the 21st century it is a perfect time to re-evaluate how we are spending U.S. taxpayer dollars in Cuba. The radio and television broadcasting that we fund is simply not providing appropriate value and should be ceased immediately.”