Republicans look to squeeze Dems with vote on Bernie's Cuba comments [View all]

[RandySF]

House Republicans will try to force a procedural vote on legislation this week condemning Sen. Bernie Sanders’ praise of Fidel Castro’s literacy initiatives, aiming to capitalize on Democratic angst over the presidential frontrunner’s comments.

The GOP plans to offer an amendment on Thursday disapproving of Sanders’ recent interview with “60 minutes,” where the Vermont independent lauded Castro’s literacy programs and argued that it’s “unfair to simply say everything [in Cuba] is bad.” The language is expected to chastise Sanders for ignoring systematic human rights abuses committed by Castro’s communist regime.

The chief sponsor of the proposal is Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), a Cuban-American and longtime Castro critic whose family fled the regime; his aunt also was Casto’s first wife. Diaz-Balart’s district is home to 335,000 constituents of Cuban descent.

When announcing their plans, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Democrats have a choice: “Do they stand with Bernie or do they stand for freedom?”

The resolution could put vulnerable Democrats — who have broken with their party on GOP procedural votes before — in a tough spot. Several Democratic lawmakers have slammed Sanders for his remarks and there is growing concern that Sanders could cost them key Senate and House races, as well as their quest for the White House, if he becomes their nominee.



https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/elections-2020/republicans-look-to-squeeze-dems-with-vote-on-bernies-cuba-comments/ar-BB10rjBu?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=mailsignout