Senate Votes 51-47 to Dismiss Resolution Ending Cuba Sanctions

U.S. energy blockade on Cuba unless approved by Congress. The vote occurred on Tuesday in Washington and resulted in a 51-47 tally to dismiss the resolution. S. is not engaged in outright hostilities with Cuba.

The legislation was a war powers resolution pertaining to Cuba, introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia. Kaine said the blockade had caused humanitarian crises across Cuba, including disrupting medical care, leaving millions of people without clean water, and spiking food prices.

Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat who voted to dismiss the resolution.

Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky were the only Republicans who voted to support the resolution. S. imposing sanctions and interrupting oil shipments from Venezuela. The Trump administration is pressing Cuba's leadership to end political repression, release political prisoners, and liberalize its economy.

President Trump said that after the war with Iran, he will turn his attention to Cuba. He pledged a new dawn for Cuba during a speech at a Turning Points USA event last week. Democrats have forced votes on legislation to check the president's ability to deploy military force in conflicts including Venezuela, Iran, and Cuba, but none have succeeded.

Democrats have used the War Powers Act of 1973 to force votes asserting congressional power over war declarations. Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont said the United States and Cuba need to find a way to peacefully coexist.

Sen. Rick Scott of Florida accused Democrats of ignoring human rights abuses by Cuba's leadership. Scott said President Trump is doing everything he can to bring back freedom and democracy across Latin America, and that support for him is needed.