Lawmakers would block funds over Cuba

Rep. Connie Mack (R-Fla.) has introduced legislation to withhold U.S. funding from the Organization for American States (OAS) if the Latin American group readmits Cuba as a member.

The OAS on Wednesday ended Cuba’s suspension from the group in a move described as historic by those attending the meeting.

Still, it’s unclear if Cuba will rejoin the organization anytime soon. Cuba would have to ask to be readmitted, and then would take part in a dialogue with the OAS.

Mack said the OAS should not consider readmitting “this brutal dictatorship” to the OAS. He said the move was “feckless, irresponsible and anti-democratic.”

Cuban-American Reps. Albio Sires (D-N.J.), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) signed on as co-sponsors to the resolution.

–Ian Swanson