social studies have said why are there not these kinds of standards and social studies? if you actually have them, you with the a lot less consternation about -- what are we teaching kids? host: host: hi, surely. caller: thank you for c-span. i would like to engage if i in the fact that we do any historical dislikes -- rather, disconnect, it seems. had the law from utah and california. so clearly, we had a disconnection as it relates to public education. if we do not have an educated workforce, we were not have a civil society. when i think about -- i am

sixty, and i came up to a segregated school system. there was a time where we do not educate all of our people. think about how many oof my family members were educated. could he speak to the concept of -- rather than we are saying education is for the public good -- but as a nation founded on the principles of equality and justice for all, yet we are now, in a modern world, saying that we do not value the public good of education. and we ought to -- we have a private structure that is not trying to divert from -- mmy i have no children. we are high educated people. pay high property taxes because of that education. >> and we will take you live to the white house with president obama.

and the most significant fifty s in a policy in years, we'll and an outdated approach that for decades hhas failed to advance our interests. and instead, we will begin to between our lations two countries. we intend to begin a new chapter among the nations of the americas. there is accommodated history between the united states and cuba. was born in 1961, just over two years after fidel castro took power in cuba, and just a few months after the bay of pigs invasion. over the next several decades, relationship between our countries played out against the backdrop of the cold war. we are separated by just over 90 miles. but year after year, and

ideological and economical barrier hardened between our two countries. meanwhile, the cuban exile in the united states made enormous constitutions to our country -- and politics, in business, culture and sports. like immigrants before, cubans help to remake america. even as they felt a painful yearning for their land and families they left behind. all of this bound america and a unique relationship. proudly, united states has supported democracy and human through these five decades. done so, primarily, through policies that americans can enjoy anywhere else. although this policy has been rooted in the best of intentions, no other nation joint is an imposing the sanctions. little y have had

effect, beyond providing the cuban government for rationale for restrictions on their own people. governed ba is still by the castro's and the communist party that came to power half a century ago. neither the american north cuban people are well served by is rooted licy that in event that took place before most of us were born. consider that for more than we have had years, relations wwith china -- a far larger country also governed by a communist party. nearly 2 decades ago, we reestablished relations with vietnam, where we fought a war. that is why, when i came into re-examine romise to our cuban policy. as a start, we lifted for rictions and n-americans to travel, sent remittances to their families and cuba. cubans have been reunited with

their families. ambassadors for our values. exchanges, a hese younger generation has question is what a keep t cubical stuff. i have been prepared to take major steps for a long time. in wrongful imprisonment, cuba, of a u.s. citizen and u.s. subcontractor, allen gross, for five years. many months, my administration has held talks with the cuban government. pope francis gave it and the ar plea to me cuban government for the release of allen gross. today, allen returned home. reunited with his family at long last.

ellen was released by the qa government on humanitarian grounds. the rately, in exchange for three cuban agents, cuba today released one of the most important intelligence agents the united states have -- agent that the united states has ever had in cuba. this man, who sacrifice has few, known to only a provided america with the allows to n that arrest the nnetwork of agents and other spies in the united states. recovered these two men, who sacrifice for our country, are now taking steps to place interest of people of both heart of our the policy. have instructed secretary kerry to reestablish that have relations been separated since january 7

of 1961. going forth, the united states will establish an embassy in we can advance shared interests. indeed, we have seen the benefits of cooperation between our countries before. it was a cuban who discover that mosquitoes carry yellow fever. his work helped walter reed fight it. cuba has sent hundreds of advocate e workers to to fight ebola. now, where he disagree, we will raise those differences directly. as we will continue to do on issues related to democracy and human rights in cuba. i believe that we can do more to support the cuban people, and promote our values, through engagement. after all, these fifty years

have shown that isolation has networked. it is time for a new approach. second, i have instructed to review kerry cubans designation as state-sponsored terrorism. this review will be sponsored by the facts and the law. terrorism has changed. where we are with threats from isis -- contrition not face the sanction. to rd, we are taking steps increase travel, commerce, and the flow of information to and from cuba. about s fundamentally freedom and openness. and also expresses my belief in the power of people and people engagement. with the changes i am announcing today, it will be easier for americans to travel to cuba. able to icans will be use american credit and debit cards on the island.

i believe this contact will ultimately do more tto empower the cuban people. i also believe that more resources should be able to reach the cuban people. so we are significantly increasing the amount of money that can be sent to cuba, and the limits on that limits human projects and the cuban sector. an increasing commerce is good for americans and for cubans. will facilitate authorized transactions between the united states and cuba. u.s. financial institutions to open allowed accounts -- and it will be easier for u.s. exporters to so good in cuba. i believe in the free flow of information. unfortunately, our sanctions on cuba have denied cubans access to technology that have individuals around the globe.

increased authorized telecommunications access between the united states and cuba. all the sell ll be goods. these are the steps that i can take, as president, to change this policy. the embargo that has been imposed for a decades is now quantified and legislation. i look forward to engaging congress in an honest and serious debate about lifting the embargo. with rday i spoke pro-castro to finalize - raul grosses à la release -- aleen gross's release. in addition to the return of cuba's ross, we welcome decision to release a substantial number of prisoners whose case was raised by my

team. we invite cuba to increase engagement with international institutions, like the united nations and the international committee of the red cross, that promote universal values. but i am under no illusion about the continued barriers to freedom that remain for ordinary cubans. the united states believe that no cuban should face harassment or beatings or arrest simply they are exercising an international right to make their voices heard. while cuba has made reforms to open up its economy, we continue to believe that cuban workers should be free to form unions. just as their citizens should be free to participate in the political process. moreover, given their history, i suspect that they will continue to pursue foreign be, at s that will times, sharply conflicting with american interests.

i'm not expecting this to bring a transformation of cuban society, but i believe we can help the cuban people help themselves as we move into the twenty-first century. to those who oppose what i'm announcing today, let me say i respect your passion and show your commitment to liberty and democracy. the question is how we uphold that commitment. i do not believe we can keep doing the same thing for over five decades, and expect a different result. moreover, it does not serve america's interests, or the cuban people, to try and push cuba towards collapse. even if that works, and it hasn't for fifty years, we know from hard-earned experience that countries are more likely to enjoy lasting transformation if the people are not subjected to gas. we are calling on cuba to

unleash the potential of 11 million cubans by adding unnecessary restrictions. in that spirit, we should not u.s. sanctions to add to the burden of u.s. citizens that we seek to help. to the cuban people, america extends a hand of friendship. some of you have look to us as a source of hope, and will continue to shine the light of freedom. have seen us as a former colonizer, intent on controlling her future. josé juan said, liberty is the right of every man to be honest. today, i'm being honest with you. we can never arrest history us, but we believe that you should be empowered to live with dignity and self-determination. saying about daily life -- it is not easy. today, the united states wants to be your partner in making a e lives of ordinary cubans little bit easier, more free,

more prosperous. to those who have supported these measures, i thank you for being partners in our efforts. to thank ular, i want his holiness, pope francis, whose moral shows us the importance of pursuing the as it should be. the government of canada, which with the r discussions cuban government. and a bipartisan group of who have worked tirelessly for alan gross's release. finally, are shifting policy cuba comes at a new moment of leadership in the united states of america. we are prepared to have cuba the summit of america's. civil will insisted that societies join us. leaders n all my fellow to give meaning to the

commitment to democracy of human rights at the heart of the inter-american charter. a legacy of behind both colonization and communism. of greater peace, security, and democratic development is possible if we work together. not to maintain power, not to secure vested interests, but instead to advance the dreams of our citizens. my fellow americans, the city miles or is only 200 so from cuba. not to maintain power, not countless thousands of cubans have come to miami -- on planes and makeshift rafts. some with little but the shirt on the back, and hope in their hearts. today, miami is often referred to as the capital of latin america. but it is also a profoundly american city. that ce that reminds us

ideals matter more than the color of our skin. a demonstration of what the cuban people can achieve, aand a demonstration of the openness of the united states. todos somos americanos. change is hard. and changes even harder when we carry the heavy weight of history on her shoulders. but today, we are making these changes because it is the right thing to do. today, america chooses to cut loose the shackles of the past. to reach for a better future. for the cuban people, for the american people. for our entire hemisphere, and for the world. thank you. god bless you. and god bless the united states of america. the white nt obama at house, announcing a major u.s. foreign policy, saying that he is immediately

kerry to ng secretary begin talks to reestablish diplomatic relations with cuba. opening the way for broader trade, travel, and finance with a long embargoed country. the president speaking for about fifteen minutes. we are going to hear from marco rubio shortly. we want to hear from you first. if you support normalizing relations with cuba. the numbers are on your screen. we'll get your calls and comments momentarily. we want to hear from you. should the u.s. normalize relations with cuba? the president of cuba -- he is addressing the nation at this time. we also expect to get that for

you later this afternoon. briefings planned, as well. . we mentioned marco rubio and his comments coming up in about fifteen minutes or so. we'll have those live here on c-span. comments on twitter -- and iran against cuba didn't work. should have taken less than five years. it has been decades. and reaction from capitol hill, too. i applaud the president for beginning discussions. of california says -- cuba learns that falls treatment of a prisoner gets spies and governancy. representative jim mcgovern's picture on twitter. and for the incoming chairman

foreign enate the relations committee -- we will closely be examining the implications of these major policy changes in the next congress. reaction from capitol hill. we all look for more reaction from you, as well. one more here from the outgoing house foreign affairs committee. his statement released earlier says in part -- trading mister gross for three convicted criminals that's an extremely dangerous precedent. let's hear what you have to say. in arlington, in favor. good afternoon. caller: yes, i am totally in favor of normalizing relations. we are neighbors. we can certainly achieve more with an olive branch than a sword. i remember when the crisis occurred back in 1961, and it

was as the president said, long overdue. it will help the united states advances goals even better. so i am totally in favor. host: from west palm beach, florida. this is eileen. you are opposed to the change in policy. why? caller: i'm a human rights attorney here in florida. my mother happens to be venezuelan, so i think -- and i have been working closely with all her representatives here and senators and trying to push the strategic sanctions against -- we know that cuba has virtually invaded venezuela. we know that there are cubans in venezuela involved in the repression of its citizens. we know that, on a daily basis, there are flights between the two countries. nobody can get on those flights.

host: eileen -- we cannot undo the eembargoes until they do an an depth hearing investigation on the role of cuba and venezuela. congress has all the facts out. the american people know the that cuba is playing -- american people know the role that cuba is playing in venezuela, then we can undo the embargoes. host: you mentioned the role of cuba and venezuela. caller: i am a little appalled that the president is moving so quickly without the american public understanding the role of cuba and venezuela. moving all for maybe towards an embargo, but after

congress -- and specifically the foreign relations committee -- have a full-fledged healing is the role that cuba playing in venezuela -- host: and we should do that treat just a few moments ago. it sounds like they will it in the look at 114th. jessica, meanwhile, is a cuban-american collect from texas. this r: yes, i think that is a great form that president obama is doing. i want to congratulate him. i am cuban-american. both born in re cuba, and they came here for freedom. the hould also open embargoes that cubans can feel the freedom, too. i'm very excited about this i have not seen my family and many years. i would love for americans to also be able to visit the island.

host: host: one prominent cuban-american shared the floor on the foreign affairs committee -- allen should have never been jailed. we are asking your comment in whether ughts on relations with cuba should be normalized. president obama saying today that he is going to ask to begin kerry discussions immediately, and reestablishing those diplomatic relations. in just over five minutes or to take you live hear from marco rubio. we have a call from tampa. mike is for the reestablishment of relations. really my only problem with the relationship between is united states and cuba that it seems almost like an

outcropping of the 1960's quarrel. take rrel that wouldn't place today wwith relationships with countries around the world. quarrel from the 1960's, and something that we can long put aside this point in time. our diplomatic and worldviews needs ething that really to be discussed and put into action now. hosts: a tweeter from bill -- relations with cuba, hooray! still in florida, another view. this is marcus, not happy with the announced change. marcus, hello. caller: yes. i think it was not a good action. going to help much,

and i think it is a little bit premature. host: los gatos, california. what you think of the news today on the reestablishment of diplomatic relations? caller: i am all for it. my great uncle was the ambassador of cuba to china. in china in ee him 1983, but i cannot travel to cuba to see the rest of my family. my family was part of the u.s. american embassy there. but this is long coming. so i support the present 100%. host: and back to florida here -- should the u.s. normalize relations with florida? am for it -- lifting the embargo. overdue, and long gain than to to

lose ffrom the embargo. host: michael, appreciate your call. we are awaiting to hear from marco rubio. and their litico reaction -- senator rubio's reaction. republicans are livid over cuba talks. they say the republicans rreacted with outrage today over the obama administration's to normalize relations with cuba. some lawmakers are casting it as appeasement and extortion by the communistic castro to normalize relations with cuba. senator rubio promised to derail the white house is even as he has mixed avenues that alan gross was being released as part of the agreement with

havana. alan is back in the united states. we are waiting to hear from marco rubio. a from riefings expected outgoing judiciary chair, patrick leahy. a live look here, as reporters gather. get re also looking to comments from raul castro, the president of cuba. back to your go calls. robert in seattle. a cuban-american. what does this mean to you, robert? this is remarkable news, and i believe the president is doing the right thing. it is long overdue. rubio -- it shows how little they understand this topic. host: thank you, robert. there are a lot of comments on from members of

congress, so you can check out our page on twitter and look for members of congress. we'll get more of your comments, too. reaction also from the outgoing the senate, robert menendez, who released a statement this morning in response to the president's action. saying, in part -- the trading an extremely dangerous precedent. it invites dictatorial and rogue regimes to use american serving overseas as bargaining chips. that is from robert menendez, of his statement today. let's go back to our calls. massachusetts. leo is in favor of the change in relations. leo, hello. of his statement today. it is long overdue and, you am relieved since 2009

our lesson the when president obama lessened the restrictions. ever since, like, these i my family -- to great relief to be able my -- relieved to go visit in 2009 because obama allowedi t. host: so you are saying that you went to cuba in 2009? caller: yes. i have been going every month, except for hurricane season, of course. host: give us a snapshot of your latest you there. when you t like to you go there?

caller: well, iit is changing pretty fast. a ericans have missed out on lot of opportunities, whether it is business or social. good now, it is -- it was to see that my relatives the ged to survive in cuba past for generations -- host: leo, we are going to let you go there. life to capitol hill -- live to capitol hill. >> that is exactly why today's announcement from the white house is so profound a disappointing. it is a victory for the oppressive governments. and a serious setback for the repressed cubans. house has conceded everything, and gained little. they gains no commitment on the of the cuban regime on

freedom of press, or freedom of speech, or elections. no binding commitment was made to truly open up the internet. no commitment was made to allow the establishment of political parties, or to even begin the resemblance of a transition to democracy. and in exchange for all of these concessions, the only government uban free d to do this fifty-three political prisoners, who could wind up in jail tomorrow morning as they the cause of ke up freedom, and to allow the united nations and the red conditions on or the island. the same united nations that did nothing when cuba, last year, was caught helping north korea of aid un sanctions. this entire policy announced today is based on an allusion. on a lie. lie and the allusion that

more access to goods will translate to political freedom for the cuban people. is going to do iis give the castro regime -- which aspect of human to e -- the opportunity manipulate, to perpetuate itself and power. these changes will only lead to greater wealth and influence for the regime. especially the military, which controls most if not all of the cuban economy. and controls all of its oppressed people. these changes will lead to legitimacy for a government that shamelessly, continuously abuses human rights. but it will not lead to assistance for those whose rights are being abused. it is just another concession to attorney by the obama administration, rrather than a defense of every universal and an inalienable rights that our

country was founded on it stands for. in short, with these changes are going to do as it is just they will tighten this regime's grip on power for decades to come. set it was significantly back the hope of freedom and democracy for the cuban people. now, i am overjoyed for alan gross and his family. he has been a hostage kept against his will for far too long. him and ers are with his family because he was not just a prisoner, he was a hostage. but this president has proven today that his foreign policy is more than just naïve. ignorant of the the world truly works. they agreed to impose sanctions on the venezuelan officials were violating human rights. a government who has spent all

of 2014 killing, jailing, and oppressing their own people. yet, we make historic concessions to the cuban government. the cuban government is influential at the highest levels of the regime. this policy contradiction is absurd. and it is disgraceful for a president who claims to treasure human rights and human freedom. this president is a single wish negotiator we have had in the white house in my lifetime. he has basically given the everything it nt asked for, aand received no assurances of any advancement in democracy. by reminding everyone that god bestowed on the cuban people the same on every at he did other man, woman, and child that has ever lived. the inalienable rights spoken about in our founding documents. people look to

america to stand up for these rights. to live up to our commitment to right of every person. to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. these rights exist not the eputable one in united states-- just for the people born in the continental united states, but for people everywhere. it is unacceptable that people who do not know democracy for more than five decades is the people of cuba. that should be our overriding objective -- to do all we can to bring about political openings in cuba. continental united states, but for people everywhere. then a free cuban people can decide about the measures they want. but these measures will do nothing to bring about that day and, in fact, i fear significantly set it back. conceding to the oppressors, this president and this administration have let the people of cuba down.

>> senator -- you have some things here about you think might happen, which is continuing to happen based on this policy. you think might happen, which is continuing to happen based on this policy.have seen towards camp david and so on. confident, in this case? know the cuban regime better than this president and anyone in this administration does. this regime and applets everyone to their advantage. they deliberately chose to allow people to come to this country, but forced them to leave their families behind. that way, they would guarantee that these people were sent back remittances to cuba. they deny people access to others. that is a regime

single-handedly manipulate -- time and again, the cuban government has manipulated this single concession administration has made to their advantage. the number one goal of the cuban government is then a free cuban to remain in power. and anything we do will be to mechanism for a remaining in power. the cuban government will never let any changes that will threaten their ability to maintain a grip on power. you are going to see that again in the months and years to come. >> you call the president the worst negotiator. he said a short time ago that he was to work with congress to do the things necessary to normalize relations. what, specifically, can congress to in response? is that i y sense anticipate i will be the chairman of the western hemisphere's subcommittee of foreign relations. and i anticipate we will have a interesting couple of

years discussing how to get an embassy funded. the bout the exchange with three remaining cubans. this has been rumored for months, maybe even more, that this was in the works in order to get alan gross back. what is your reaction to that? >> i am glad that alan gross is back. there er should have been to begin with. let me just take this moment to point out something that the president said that is factually incorrect. the president said that cubans do not have access to advanced, twenty-first century technology because of the u.s. embargo. that is false. the reason why they don't have access to 20% to communications -- like smart phones and access to the internet -- is because it is illegal in cuba. gross was why allen taken hostage was because he a small ng to help

jewish community in cuba have access to that equipment. so for the president to say that it was because the u.s. embargo is categorically false. to second point out make the present is the cuban government is going to control the internet, the same way the chinese government control the a small . jewish community in cuba this notion that cuba is going to allow the cuban people to they want is bsite ridiculous. they are not going to allow that to happen. my last point on it is that i'm glad mister gross is back with his family. i am always concerned anytime that we trade legitimate spies americans because it sets -- it actually now in creates an incentive. but, i am happy he is with his family today. and i focus my remarks here today and make criticisms on the unilateral changes the president has made, which i think will have a dramatic

freedom on the island. and i focus my remarks [speaking in spanish] [speaking in spanish]

>> our understanding is that doing this -- his remarks towards the pope. does his remarks have any influence on how quickly you to run for e president? that my nk understanding -- i have not criticize the release of mister gross. i would also ask his holiness of freedom the cause and democracy, which is critical for people to truly be free. i think the people of cuba deserve the same chances that of argentina have had, where he comes from. that i hope that -- that people with that sort of on the world stage will take it out for the cause of freedom and democracy. the cuban people are the only

people in this hemisphere who have not been able to elect a fifty-five ore than or sixty years. government, under barack obama, to give up everything is unacceptable in my mind. this is unrelated to anything prior. i'm not going to discuss that today. do see this move as yet done by unilateral move the present wwithout speaking to the congress? with regard to the acts, i would say that i would can see have many of the changes been made today fall within the purview of the presidency. my comments are based on the fact that these are unwise decisions. the fact that i now know, for fundamental truth, that this will make the day when

democracy comes to cuba even further away. they are going to utilize these to create more wealth, more funding for their oppressive regime. in a few years, you're going to see them here in the halls of congress to lobby. i saw that this week when we and pass a bill that supported democracy protesters in hong kong. my office is getting phone do ls from companies that business in china asking us to back off. you are going to see that here now, too. was released from prison and that, of course, goes hand-in-hand with the change in policy. would you have rather seen him remain imprisoned? >> according to the white not go they do hand-in-hand. the interchange between on the states and cuba

three spies with a american held in prison -- suffices to say, the three prisoners - the u.s. spies that were in custody were not benign spies going around cutting up newspaper clippings. at least two of them were involved in direct information given to the cuban government murders of the american citizens were patrolling the streets in florida or national waters. >> president obama alluded to young cuban-americans, saying that they accept more normal relations. which is quite different from what you are saying. how do you explain that the younger generation -- >> partially, because i'm forty-three -- i feel -- and partially because, look, this is not a political thing.

i don't care for 99% of the people believe we should normalize relations with cuba. i believe that before we can normalize relations, democracy has to come first. or at least significant steps towards democracy. -- including are the individuals that the present discussed -- freedom for cuba. i would say that if you want the majority of -- if you went to the majority of the people going ere and said we are to recognize them, we're going to open up the banking sector, going to do -- and in exchange, all cuba is going to do is release fifty-three back ners they can put until next year. most people would say, well, that is not the idea we had in mind. let me be clear, i am in favor of normalizing relations with cuba. but for that to happen, cuba has to be normal. cuba has to be a democracy. the day they take significant steps towards democracy, i will

be the first one to stand up here and say now is the time to change policy. is clearly not today. >> you have been told that the administration one be for it. did you consult congress? >> a couple points. i was aware of these measures last night, not from the administration. i chose not to discuss it at the time because i do not want to imperil the safety and well-being of mister gross. who, as i understood, was in route or potentially in route. i was not consulted by anyone in the administration until 10:00 am this morning, when secretary kerry placed a call to me. i expressed a secretary my are being t they incredibly naïve, if not willfully ignorant about the to act that this is going have on cuba. is of a sudden democracy going to spring.

that is ridiculous. the notion that somehow this is a second cuban o revolution, despite the fact that humans are not able to buy more goods from the united states. i interact with people who have been oppressed by it every single day. these changes will do nothing to change their behavior toward cuban people. it will be just as impressive a year from now as it is today. >> you say that congress was not consulted -- >> well, i do not know that they consulted other members of congress. i was not consulted. i spoke to no one in the administration about it until 10:00 am this morning. >> what is your nomination on 2016? >> i am not discussing 2016 today, out of respect and the gravity for this issue. i will say that, in congress,

we're going to do everything we can. it is something that i am personally committed to being a part of. the way, i'm also committed to liberty, freedom, and korea, and n north hong kong, and china -- wwhich outspoken ave been an critic of the chinese government. cuba is close to home for me, because of my heritage and the people i know. i know, firsthand, how this oppressive regime manipulates families for purposes of perpetuating themselves in power. i know what they are capable of doing to people who speak out against the regime. none of that is going to change. measures taken today -- they will do absolutely nothing to change the course. [speaking in spanish]

>> translated: this is the worst leader i have seen in my life. he has change basically nothing. to ask you anted about how committed you are to funding for an embassy, and blocking the nomination of an ambassador, given the fact that you have actually a lot more power. have you made a decision on how you are blocking at? >> i am committed to do everything i can to unravel as many of these changes as possible. >> have you figured out yet which would you can unravel? >> obviously, it has been just hours since this announcement has been made. it is up to the present to

implement policy and execute policy. time and again, you have seen that he has forgotten it. but i'll use everything under to see this unraveled. i do this not out of animosity, but out of animosity towards the cuban government's regime and oppression of their people. i have never analyze this issue from an electoral perspective. .this is how it passionately feel quite frankly, it is irrelevant. as i told you earlier, i don't of 99% of people in polls disagree with my position, this is my position. and i feel passionate about it. i am glad that i'm on this side of human rights and freedom. i hope that we can have the conversation turned congress to overturn these policies today.

>> the president says that if you do the same thing over and over, it doesn't work. do you agree with him? >> in fact, that is a good point. i think we should increase the measures that we take against cuba. for example, the violation of human sanctions. in the panama canal, a ship that left cuba was intercepted. on that shift was illegal items. the government did nothing. and it should have. this government has been slow to criticize cuban human rights the past few r months. a ship that left cuba was intercepted. this government accepted their attendance at the summit, a summit that was put together by a collection of democracies. was never intended to include a communistic dictatorship, which is what

cuba is. i disagree in what he has done about it. this argument that somehow the embargo has not worked, therefore let's try something completely different. sounds good on paper, but here's the reality. just because we change our does not wards cuba, mean allow we allow cuba to do whatever it wants. yes, maybe there will be more telecommunications companies in cuba. but what people are able to view on the internet is going to be completely controlled by the cuban government. where people are going to spend that money is completely by the cuban government. yes, more chips are going to be allowed. is going to be completely controlled by the cuban government. they are not going to agree to anything that destabilizes their grip on power. the sooner the administration less zes that, the problems will have. >> [speaking in spanish]

>> translated: i think that the government is a dictatorship. year, they -- they support a dictatorship. i will answer cuba's stance. i think cuba is a terrorist government. whether they are kidnapping celebrities or otherwise. canal, r, in a panama ship was intercepted from cuba that violated sanctions.

that sounds like terrorism to me. in a statement a few moments ago, the president said it made no sense, and the twenty-first century, for country like you were to be on the list. >> can you talk about the prospects of congress being able to actually listen? >> this congress is not going to lift the embargo. thank you. republican s senator, marco rubio, reacting to the news today that the u.s. is moving to normalize relations with cuba. this after allen gross, who had cuba for prisoner in five years. he was escorted from cuba this morning.

congressman's chris van hollen, he has returned to the united states. it is likely that we will hear from mister gross later this afternoon. hear from t, we'll president obama. some reaction from capitol hill. actually, some of what marco rubio had to say. tweets -- this present is the single worst negotiator in the white house in my lifetime. a picture released by the white house or the president speaking with castro. -- i will do all in my power to block the use of funds to open an embassy in cuba. reactions from you. who says that this is the first of many steps to establish a standard of

human rights in cuba. and -- one year ago, i finished my semester in cuba. change on the ground will take time. we welcome your comments. the hastag is c-spanchat. here is one -- this is long overdue. the usa has always made peace with our enemies. i am not a fan of obama, but this is awesome. bravo. we showed you some of the trees from capitol hill. from the incoming senate chair -- there is no real as to what ng changes the cuban government is prepared to make. we will be closely examining these major ions of policy changes in the next congress.

and secretary kerry -- again, the president asking secretary kerry to begin immediately on normalizing relations with cuba. here's part of his statement. since 2009, president obama has to change our re relationship and improve the lives of the cuban people by easing restrictions on remittances and family travel. the president has committed to the united states to begin to charge an even more ambitious course forward. likely that we'll hear from secretary kerry later this afternoon. we will certainly have them for you on c-span. coming up in about forty-five minutes or so, we are expecting to hear from senator patrick leahy -- he accompanied allen gross back to the united states. scheduled for 1:45 pm. we'll aim to bring it to you live here on c-span. all of our coverage on the policy will uba

re-air tonight beginning at 8:00 pm eastern. next the see you comments -- president obama and changes ahead in cuba. [video clip] >> good afternoon. today, we are changing our policies with cuba. we will and in outdated approach that, for decades, has failed to advance our interests. instead, will begin to normalize relations between our two countries. through these changes, we intend to create more opportunities for the american and cuban people. to begin a new chapter among the nations of the americas. there is a public edit history between the united states and cuba. was born in 1961, jjust over two years after fidel castro took power in cuba.

and just a few months after the bay of pigs invasion, which try to overthrow his regime. several decades, the relationship between our countries played out against the backdrop of the cold war. america's steadfast opposition to communism. just over arated by 90 miles, but year after year, and ideological and economical barrier hardened between our two countries. meanwhile, the cuban exile states ty in the united made tremendous contributions business, itics, and culture, and sports. like immigrants before, cubans helped remake america. even as they felt the painful yearning for the land and families they left behind. all of this about america and cuba in a unique relationship. probably, the united states has supported -- proudly, the

supported -- has primarily through policies that americans can enjoy anywhere else. though this policy has been rooted in the best of intentions, no other nation joins us in opposing these sanctions. it has had little effect be on providing the cuban government with a rationale for restrictions on it people. today, cuba is still governed by the castro's and the communist party that came to power half a century ago. neither the american nor cuban people are well served by a rigid policy rooted in events that took place before most of us were born. consider that for more than 35 years, we have had relations with china, a far larger country also governed by a communist party. we reestablish relations with vietnam, where we fought a war

that claimed more americans than any cold war confrontation. that is why when i came into office, i promised to re-examine our cuban policy. we looked at restrictions for cuban-americans to travel and sent our remittances to their families. these changes, once controversial, now seem obvious. cuban americans have been doing -- reunited with their families and are the best possible investors for our about -- our values. through these exchanges, a younger generation of cuban-americans have -- more to keep cubans closed off from interconnected world. i have been prepared to take

additional steps for some time. a major obstacle stood in our way. the wrongful imprisonment in cuba of a u.s. citizen and usaid subcontractor, alan gross, for five years. over many months, my administration has held discussions with the cuban government about his case and other aspects of our relationship. his holiness, pope francis, issued a personal appeal to me and to cuba's president urging us to resolve the case. and to address cuba's interest in the release of three cuban nations jailed in the united states over 15 years. today, alan returned home, reunited with his family at long last. allen was released by the cuban government on humanitarian grounds. in exchange for the three cuban agents, cuba today released one of the most important intelligence agency united states has ever had in cuba, and who has been in prison for nearly two decade. this man, whose sacrifice has been known by only a few, allowed us to rest a network of cuban agents, that included the man who came to cuba today, as well as others live in the united states. this man is now safely on our shores. have you recover these two men

who sacrificed for our country, i am taking steps to place the interests of people at both countries at the heart of our policy. first, i have instructed secretary kerry to merely begins -- to immediately begin discussions with cuba to reestablish diplomatic relations that have been severed since january of 1961. going forward, the united states will reestablish a united states embassy in nevada and high-ranking officials will visit cuba. where we can advance shared interests, we will, on issues like health, migration, counterterrorism, drug trafficking, and disaster response. we have seen the benefits of cooperation between our countries before. there was a cuban who discovered mosquitoes carried yellow fever. his work helped to fight it. cuba sent hundreds of health-care workers to africa to fight ebola. i believe american and cuban health-care workers should work side-by-side to stop the threat

of this -- the spread of this deadly disease. where we disagree, we will raise those differences directly, as we will continue to do on issues related to democracy and human rights in cuba. but i believe we can do more to support the cuban people and promote our values, through engagement. after all, these 50 years have shown that isolation has not worked. it is time for a new approach. second, i have instructed secretary kerry to view the nation as a state sponsor of terrorist. this will be guided by the facts and the law. terrorism has changed in the past several decades. the time where we are focused on threats from al qaeda to isil, a nation that meets our commissions and renounces the use of terrorism should not face this sanction. third, we are taking steps to increase travel, commerce, and the flow of information to and from cuba. and this is fundamentally about

freedom and openness. it also expresses my belief in the power of people. with the changes i'm announcing today, it will be easy for americans to travel to cuba and americans will be able to use debit cards on the island. nobody represent america's values that are then the american people. i believe this contact will ultimately do more to power the cuban people. i also believe more resources should be able to reach the cuban people, so we are significantly increasing the amount of money that can be sent to cuba and removing -- to support cuban product -- projects, the cuban people, and the cuban private sector. i believe american businesses should not be put at a disadvantage in that increase commerce is good for americans and for cubans. we will facilitate authorized transactions between united states and cuba. u.s. financial institutions will be allowed to opera counts -- to open accounts at cuban financial

institutions. i believe in the free flow of information. unfortunately, our sessions on cuba have denied cubans access to technology that has empowered individuals around the globe. i have authorized increased telecommunications connections between united states and cuba. businesses will be able to sell goods that will allow cubans to sell with united states and other countries. these are the steps i can take as president to change the policy. the embargo proposed for decades is now codified in legislation. as these changes unfold, i look forward to engaging congress in an honest and serious debate about lifting the embargo. yesterday, i spoke with throw castro to finalize the release and exchange of prisoners, and to describe how we will move forward. let me make clear that my strong belief is cuban society has been constrained by its stronghold on citizens. with the release of our

intelligent -- intelligence agent, we welcome a substantial release of prisoners whose -- were raised by my team. we welcome cuba to provide more access to the internet for its citizens and continue to increase engagement with international is to's like united nations and the international committee of the red cross, that promote universal values. i am under no illusion about the continued barriers to freedom that remain for ordinary cubans. the united states leave that no cubans should face harassment or arrest or beatings simply because they are exercising a universal right to have their voices heard. we will continue to support a civil society there. while cuba has made reforms to gradually open up its economy, we continue to believe that cuban workers should be free to form unions, just as their citizens should be free to indicate on clinical aspirations.

i spent we will continue to pursue foreign-policy that will at times be sharply at odds with american interests. i do not expect the changes i'm announcing today to bring about a transformation of cuban society overnight. but i'm convinced that through a policy of engagement, we can more effectively stand up for our values and have the cuban people help themselves as they move into the 21st century. to those who oppose the steps i'm announcing today, let me say that i respect your passion and i share your commitment to liberty and democracy. the question is how we uphold that commitment. i do not believe we can keep doing the same thing for over five decades and expect a different result. it does not serve america's interests, or the cuban people,

to try to push cuban people -- push cuba toward collapse. if that word, we have learned from hard experience that comes -- countries are more likely to join lasting transformation if people are not subjected to chaos. we are calling on cuba to unleash the potential of 11 million cubans by ending unnecessarily restrictions on the political, social, and economic decisions. we should not allow u.s. sanctions to add to the burden of cuban citizens that we seek to help. to the cuban people, america extends a hand of friendship. some of you have looked to us as a source of hope and we continue to shine a light of freedom. others have seen us as a former colonized intent on controlling your future. liberty is the right of every man to be honest. today, i am being honest with

you. we can never erase the history between us, but we believe you should be empowered to live with dignity and self-determination. cubans have a saying about daily life. it is not easy. today, the united states wants to be a partner in making the lives of ordinary cubans a little bit easier, more free, and more prosperous. to those who support these measures, thank you for being partners in our efforts. in particular, i want to thank his holiness pope francis, whose moral example shows us the importance of pursuing the world as it should be, rather than simply settling for the world as it is. the government of canada, was hosted our discussions with the cuban government, and a bipartisan group of congressmen who work for alan gross's release. finally, power shift in policy toward cuba comes in a moment of her new leadership in the americans -- americas. this april, we are prepared to have cuba join other nations of the hemisphere at the summit of the americas.

we will insist that civil society join us so that citizens and not just leaders are shaping our future. i call on all of my fellow leaders to give meaning to the commitment and democracy and human rights at the heart of the inter-american charter. let us leave behind a legacy of colonization and communism. the tierney of drug cartels, dictators, and sham elections. if future of greater peace, security, and democratic development is possible, if we work together. not to maintain a power and not to secure vested interests, but instead to advance the dreams of our citizens. my fellow americans, the city of miami is only 200 miles or so from the savanna. countless thousands of cubans have come to miami, on planes

and makeshift rafts, some with little but the shirt on their back, and hope in their hearts. today, miami is often referred to as the capital of latin america. but it is also a profoundly american city, a place that reminds us that ideals matter more than the color of our skin, or the circumstances of our birth. a demonstration of what the cuban people can achieve, and the openness of the united states to our family in the south. change is hard. in our own lives and in the lives of nations. change is even harder when we carry the heavy weight of history on our shoulders. but today, we are making these changes because it is the right thing to do. today, america chooses to cut loose the shackles of the past, to reach for a better future, for the cuban people, the american people, for our entire hemisphere, and for the world. thank you.

god bless you, and god blessed united states of america. -- bless the united states of america. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014] >> president obama from about an hour ago announcing a major change in the u.s. towards cuba. it may really be getting negotiations velti normal relations with that country over -- after over 50 years and after five years of imprisonment of alan gross, a subcontractor for the state department for you as agency of international development that has been held by cuba for five years released today in a cake -- in a trade to free cuban prisoners here in the u.s. accompanied by the senators way he and congressman chris van hollen. we are getting your reaction on whether you support or oppose normalizing regulations with cuba. --

and we will get to your calls momentarily. you can also reach us on facebook and on twitter. you know our plan, we are expecting a news briefing, comments from alan gross come out about 1:35 eastern. we will take you there live here on c-span once he begins. within the hour, we will hear from senators leahy and flake, and also from chris van hollen. they're holding a news conference again. cuba.ompany him back from we are expecting to hear from them in about a half-hour. let's get to your calls in lincoln, new mexico. lincoln, new mexico. go ahead. yes, i want to say i am

strongly in favor of this action. i think it has been a long time coming. having some kind of normalization of relations can only lead to good things in the future. -- much better than an adversarial relationship that we have had up until now. hopeongly support it and i other americans will feel the same way. thank you. >> we will take your calls for about 10 minutes or so. a reminder to mute your television or radio when you call him. let's hear from dayton, ohio. is it gavin? my name is glenn. i am an african american and i action byppose the the obama administration. >> why is that? need toy because we tend to the things going on in before we trytes

to tend to cuba, a communist that hasa country opposed the united states for country, its is a people could not hear president obama speak today. it is a communist country with a state-run run media. they have no idea what he said. in america, we are free to talk and free to speak at all times. i love the united states of america. i am proud to be a u.s. citizen. but i strongly oppose this action, especially when congress is not in session here at once again, president obama has gone beyond the limits, beyond his , to go, beyond himself behind congress's back. he works for the american people. i think he needs to remind

himself of that. we respect our president, but he needs to work for the citizens of the united states, all citizens. >> that is when -- gwen. thank you for your call from ohio. -- again, we expect to hear from mr. gross at 1:35 eastern. a senator cox's office releasing a statement, -- and to lindsey graham, the appropriations committee chair -- subcommittee chair that oversees the state department spending -- harry reid, the outgoing majority leader --

from you, c-span viewers, and listeners on c-span chat -- go.m -- ok, let's go ahead. yes, hello. i am a cuban-american and am extremely grateful to president obama for what he has done today. i am so emotional, words cannot begin to even express the way i feel. what he has done for my family in cuba, to let them have a little taste of what freedom really is, that is what he is doing. he is opening up the possibility for us in the united states to for people toe, be able to have food, for people

to be able to have medicine, and to be able to see their family freely. a lot of people called to oppose and a lot of people, they talk about the immigration issue. but what is really important is in abledom that he has to give people who do not have anything, who do not have clothing, do not have food, and do not have anything in the world. >> you mentioned you still have family living in cuba. caller: yes, i do. i have all of my mother's family living there. brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, people i've never met were seen. are going to be having the opportunity to have a better way of life is, to me, amazing. i never thought the day would come in my lifetime. have50 years old area >>

you heard from any of them since the news was announced this morning? caller: no. we have limited communication p.m. i family does not have access to phones. they do not have access to the internet. i communicate through cell phone with my and through e-mail. i mean, it is appalling. it really is appalling, the lack offacilities, the lack amenities for people. people here have no clue. >> we appreciate your comments, and more of them are coming up as well. we will hear from alan gross, released today after five years of imprisonment in cuba. his comment in about 15 minutes at 1:35 eastern. after that, or shortly thereafter, senators patrick leahy, jeff flake, and chris van hollen, who escorted gross back from cuba, their briefing set to start.

senator marco rubio a strong opponent of normalizing relations with you but, spoke to reporters within the hour in -- about cuba. >> thank you for being here. as a descendent of cuban immigrants and someone who has been raised by cuban exiles and as a man who cares deeply about the well-being of cuban people, one of my great hopes is to live to see the people of cuba and its people become free and open and democratic. that is exactly why today's announcement from the white house is so profoundly disappointing. it is a victory for the oppressive human government, but a serious setback for the repressed human people. the white house has conceded everything and gained little. on thein no commitment part of the cuban regime, the freedom of rest, or freedom of

speech, or elections. no binding commitment was made to truly open up the internet. made totment was allowing the establishment of political parties or to even begin the semblance of a transition to democracy. and in exchange for all of these concessions, the only thing the cuban government agreed to do this free fifty-three political prisoners, who could wind up in jail tomorrow morning as they once again take up the cause of freedom, and to allow the united nations and the red cross to monitor conditions on the island. the same united nations that did nothing when cuba, last year, was caught helping north korea of aid un sanctions. this entire policy announced today is based on an allusion. on a lie. the lie and the allusion that more access to goods will translate to political freedom for the cuban people. all this is going to do iis give the castro regime -- which controls every aspect of human life -- the opportunity to

manipulate, to perpetuate itself and power. these changes will only lead to greater wealth and influence for the regime. especially the military, which controls most if not all of the cuban economy. and controls all of its oppressed people. these changes will lead to legitimacy for a government that shamelessly, continuously abuses human rights. but it will not lead to assistance for those whose rights are being abused. it is just another concession to attorney by the obama administration, rrather than a defense of every universal and an inalienable rights that our country was founded on it stands for. in short, with these changes are going to do as they will tighten this regime's grip on power for decades to come. and it was significantly set back the hope of freedom and democracy for the cuban people. now, i am overjoyed for alan gross and his family. he has been a hostage kept against his will for far too long. our prayers are with him and his family because he was not just a

prisoner, he was a hostage. but this president has proven today that his foreign policy is more than just naive. it is willfully ignorant of the way the world truly works. they agreed to impose sanctions on the venezuelan officials were violating human rights. a government who has spent all of 2014 killing, jailing, and oppressing their own people. and yet, we make historic concessions to the cuban government. the cuban government is influential at the highest levels of the regime. this policy contradiction is absurd. and it is disgraceful for a president who claims to treasure human rights and human freedom. this president is a single wish negotiator we have had in the white house in my lifetime. he has basically given the cuban

government everything it asked for, aand received no assurances of any advancement in democracy. let me close by reminding everyone that god bestowed on the cuban people the same rights that he did on every other man, woman, and child that has ever lived. the inalienable rights spoken about in our founding documents. the cuban people look to america to stand up for these rights. to live up to our commitment to the god-given right of every person. to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

these rights exist not disreputable one in the continental united states-- just for the people born in the continental united states, but for people everywhere. it is unacceptable that people who do not know democracy for more than five decades is the people of cuba. that should be our overriding objective -- to do all we can to bring about political openings in cuba. then a free cuban people can decide about the measures they want. but these measures will do nothing to bring about that day and, in fact, i fear significantly set it back. by conceding to the oppressors, this president and this administration have let the people of cuba down. >> senator --

you have some things here about what you think might happen, which is continuing to happen based on this policy. we have seen other critics towards camp david and so on. why you so confident, in this case? >> because i know the cuban regime better than this president and anyone in this administration does. this regime and applets everyone to their advantage. they deliberately chose to allow people to come to this country, but forced them to leave their families behind. that way, they would guarantee that these people were sent back remittances to cuba.

they deny people access to others. this is a regime that single-handedly manipulate -- time and again, the cuban government has manipulated every single concession this administration has made to their advantage. the number one goal of the cuban government is to remain in power. and anything we do will be to buy them into a mechanism for remaining in power. the cuban government will never let any changes that will threaten their ability to maintain a grip on power. you are going to see that again in the months and years to come. >> you call the president the worst negotiator. he said a short time ago that he was to work with congress to do the things necessary to normalize relations. what, specifically, can congress to in response? >> well, my sense is that i anticipate i will be the chairman of the western hemisphere's subcommittee of foreign relations. and i anticipate we will have a very interesting couple of years discussing how to get an embassy funded. >> about the exchange with the three remaining cubans.

this has been rumored for months, maybe even more, that this was in the works in order to get alan gross back. what is your reaction to that? >> i am glad that alan gross is back. he never should have been there to begin with. let me just take this moment to point out something that the president said that is factually incorrect. the president said that cubans do not have access to advanced, twenty-first century technology because of the u.s. embargo. that is false. the reason why they don't have access to 20% to communications

-- like smart phones and access to the internet -- is because it is illegal in cuba. the reason why allen gross was taken hostage was because he was trying to help a small jewish community in cuba have access to that equipment. so for the president to say that it was because the u.s. embargo is categorically false. the second point out make to the present is the cuban government is going to control the internet, the same way the chinese government control the internet. this notion that cuba is going to allow the cuban people to

access any website they want is ridiculous. they are not going to allow that to happen. my last point on it is that i'm glad mister gross is back with his family. i am always concerned anytime that we trade legitimate spies for innocent americans because it sets -- it actually now in creates an incentive. but, i am happy he is with his family today. and i focus my remarks here today and make criticisms on the unilateral changes the president has made, which i think will have a dramatic impact on freedom on the island. [speaking in spanish] [speaking in spanish]

>> our understanding is that the present is doing this -- his remarks towards the pope. does his remarks have any influence on how quickly you might decide to run for president? >> i think that my understanding -- i have not criticize the release of mister gross. i would also ask his holiness to take up the cause of freedom and democracy, which is critical for people to truly be free. i think the people of cuba deserve the same chances that the people of argentina have had, where he comes from. my point is that i hope that -- that people with that sort of prestige on the world stage will take it out for the cause of

freedom and democracy. the cuban people are the only people in this hemisphere who have not been able to elect a leader in more than fifty-five or sixty years. for this government, under barack obama, to give up everything is unacceptable in my mind. this is unrelated to anything prior. i'm not going to discuss that today. >> do see this move as yet another unilateral move done by the president without speaking to the congress? >> with regard to the acts, i would say that i would can see that many of the changes have been made today fall within the purview of the presidency. my comments are based on the fact that these are unwise decisions. the fact that i now know, for fundamental truth, that this will make the day when democracy comes to cuba even further away. they are going to utilize these changes to create more wealth, more funding for their oppressive regime.

in a few years, you're going to see them here in the halls of congress to lobby. i saw that this week when we tried to pursue and pass a bill that supported democracy protesters in hong kong. my office is getting phone calls from companies that do business in china asking us to back off. you are going to see that here now, too. >> alan gross was released from prison and that, of course, goes hand-in-hand with the change in policy. would you have rather seen him remain imprisoned? >> according to the white house, they do not go hand-in-hand. the interchange between the united states and cuba on the three spies with a american held in prison -- suffices to say, the three prisoners - the three spies that were in u.s. custody were not benign spies going around cutting up newspaper clippings. at least two of them were

involved in direct information given to the cuban government that led to the murders of american citizens were patrolling the streets in florida or national waters. >> president obama alluded to young cuban-americans, saying that they accept more normal relations. which is quite different from what you are saying. how do you explain that the younger generation -- >> partially, because i'm forty-three -- i feel forty-four -- and partially because, look, this is not a political thing. i don't care for 99% of the people believe we should normalize relations with cuba. i believe that before we can normalize relations, democracy has to come first. or at least significant steps towards democracy. i think we share -- including the individuals that the present discussed -- freedom for cuba. i would say that if you want the

majority of -- if you went to the majority of the people out there and said we are going to recognize them, we're going to open up the banking sector, we are going to do -- and in exchange, all cuba is going to do is release fifty-three prisoners they can put back until next year. most people would say, well, that is not the idea we had in mind. let me be clear, i am in favor of normalizing relations with cuba. but for that to happen, cuba has to be normal. cuba has to be a democracy. the day they take significant steps towards democracy, i will be the first one to stand up here and say now is the time to change policy. that day is clearly not today. >> you have been told that the administration one be for it. did you consult congress?

>> a couple points. i was aware of these measures last night, not from the administration. i chose not to discuss it at the time because i do not want to imperil the safety and well-being of mister gross. who, as i understood, was in route or potentially in route. i was not consulted by anyone in the administration until about 10:00 am this morning, when secretary kerry placed a call to me. i expressed a secretary my belief that they are being incredibly naive, if not willfully ignorant about the impact that this is going to have on cuba. all of a sudden democracy is going to spring. that is ridiculous. the notion that somehow this is going to lead to a second cuban revolution, despite the fact that humans are not able to buy more goods from the united states. i interact with people who have been oppressed by it every single day. these changes will do nothing to

change their behavior toward cuban people. it will be just as impressive a year from now as it is today. >> you say that congress was not consulted -- >> well, i do not know that they consulted other members of congress. i was not consulted. i spoke to no one in the administration about it until 10:00 am this morning. >> what is your nomination on 2016? >> i am not discussing 2016 today, out of respect and the gravity for this issue. i will say that, in congress, we're going to do everything we can. it is something that i am personally committed to being a part of. by the way, i'm also committed to liberty, freedom, and democracy in north korea, and hong kong, and china -- wwhich is why i have been an outspoken critic of the chinese government.

cuba is close to home for me, because of my heritage and the people i know. i know, firsthand, how this oppressive regime manipulates families for purposes of perpetuating themselves in power. i know what they are capable of doing to people who speak out against the regime. none of that is going to change. none of the measures taken today -- they will do absolutely nothing to change the course.

[speaking in spanish] >> translated: this is the worst leader i have seen in my life. he has change basically nothing. >> i just wanted to ask you about how committed you are to blocking the funding for an embassy, and blocking the nomination of an ambassador, given the fact that you have actually a lot more power. have you made a decision on how you are blocking at? >> i am committed to do everything i can to unravel as many of these changes as possible. >> have you figured out yet which would you can unravel? >> obviously, it has been just a few hours since this announcement has been made. it is up to the present to implement policy and execute policy. time and again, you have seen that he has forgotten it. but i'll use everything under my authority to see this unraveled. i do this not out of animosity,

but out of animosity towards the cuban government's regime and oppression of their people. i have never analyze this issue from an electoral perspective. .this is how it passionately feel quite frankly, it is irrelevant. as i told you earlier, i don't care of 99% of people in polls disagree with my position, this is my position. and i feel passionate about it. i am glad that i'm on this side of human rights and freedom. i hope that we can have the conversation turned congress to overturn these policies today. >> the president says that if you do the same thing over and

over, it doesn't work. do you agree with him? >> in fact, that is a good point. i think we should increase the measures that we take against cuba. for example, the violation of human sanctions. last year, in the panama canal, a ship that left cuba was intercepted. on that ship was illegal items. the government did nothing. and it should have. this government has been slow to criticize cuban human rights violations over the past few months. this government accepted their attendance at the summit, a summit that was put together by a collection of democracies. it was never intended to include a communistic dictatorship, which is what cuba is. i disagree in what he has done about it. this argument that somehow the embargo has not worked, therefore let's try something

completely different. sounds good on paper, but here's the reality. just because we change our policy towards cuba, does not mean allow we allow cuba to do whatever it wants. yes, maybe there will be more telecommunications companies in cuba. but what people are able to view on the internet is going to be completely controlled by the cuban government. where people are going to spend that money is completely controlled by the cuban government. yes, more chips are going to be allowed. but that is going to be completely controlled by the cuban government. they are not going to agree to anything that destabilizes their grip on power. the sooner the administration realizes that, the less problems will have. .>> [speaking in spanish]

>> [speaking in spanish] translated: i think that the government is a dictatorship. last year, they -- they support a dictatorship. i will answer cuba's stance. i think cuba is a terrorist government. whether they are kidnapping celebrities or otherwise. laughter, in a panama canal, ship was intercepted from cuba that violated sanctions. that sounds like terrorism to me. in a statement a few moments ago, the president said it made no sense, and the twenty-first century, for country like you were to be on the list. >> can you talk about the

prospects of congress being able to actually listen? >> this congress is not going to lift the embargo. thank you. >> florida's republican senator, marco rubio, reacting to the news today that the u.s. is moving to normalize relations with cuba. this after the release of allen gross, who had been held prisoner in cuba for five years. here on c-span, we expect to hear from him briefly. we will take you to their live for his comments.

today,rned to earlier opening up the phone line to get your thoughts on whether the usa should normalize relations with cuba. if used for that -- youou oppose that -- if support that -- if you oppose that -- released today by cuba. a statement to the press coming up shortly. we are also coming up on the comments of patrick leahy, and chris van hollen, who represent cuba andross back from are accompanying him back. secretary john kerry expected to make comments on the chain to -- the change to u.s. policy at 3:00 p.m. eastern today. today'sshow all of events, reaction, beginning at

8:00 tonight with the president's comments on c-span. let's go to calls. sean is in tennessee, supporting the move by the president today. go ahead. hello, timothy. you are on the air. all right. cynthia is in nevada, and she is opposed to the move. cynthia, hello. hello. yes. i oppose the move that obama has done. far.has gone too he is totally dismantling our constitution. with ted cruz. he knows better than obama and in fact, as far as i'm concerned, the average public thisore intelligence than president, whether he is white or black has nothing to do with it. i wish people would stand up for what is correct and not let him

tear down this country. as far as i'm concerned, he's a terrorist and should be put in gitmo himself instead of letting aople out, doing it on thursday when he can leave on a for by thetion paid american people. this guy is an abomination to the country. as far as i'm concerned, him and nds and hollywood cronies, they do not like the way america was put together by the constitution, then he should get the hell out of this country.

>> that is a view out of ohio. caller: in cuba, they are charge me $400 for being cuban. any cuban will not be able to go to cuba with out a background check. isone to make this with cuba i think a really bad idea with no knowledge of what is going on in the country of cuba. >> a change in policy today as gross, whoed alan for five years. united states releasing five cuban prisoners. we are getting your reaction. #c-spanchat.

here is 1 -- also -- from joe, who says -- from pedro -- tetro -- city, then is in favor of the announcement today. >> yes. i support the president's's decision. senator rubio says this is a that decision. but look at china's relationship with nixon and locale better it is now. >> you are breaking up a little bit there, ben.

we will hear momentarily from alan gross, released from cuba today. we will have it live for you. also, an update live at three cut p.m. eastern here on c-span. secretary of state john kerry in what we expect will be his first public comments on the news of the change in relations for the u.s. and cuba. if you support the change -- if you are opposed to normalizing relations -- lauderdale, next up. go ahead. yes, i just wanted to say i oppose it because cuba can help america. they have, 453 years, they to have done anything

those rarely succeed in doing the stuff we want to do in cuba. make sure you mute or television or radio when you call in. what do you think about the news today, caller? unfortunately, the president of the united states, don't get anything back through the u.s. i arrived in the united states -- i am 67 now, and the american, majority don't want the relationships given to until they are freight. >> do you still have family in cuba? caller: i have family in cuba

and they decided not to come , but they still -- before we give anything to them. >> ok, andrew in new jersey, who supports the move today. go ahead. >> i think either the president joint cooperation with cuba, well-known for its relatively advanced research in the world. here is a practical proposal, the joint american cuban tropical disease research facility at guantanamo bay. up, opposing the move today from ohio. caller: yes.

americans want to know about the castro brothers connection with the american drug trade. read the book called "red cocaine." explains how they created crystal meth and how they organize all the drug operations throughoutviets america, specifically targeting hispanics and blacks. there are no cuban blacks involved because they expose what castro did when he was in czechoslovakia. trove, and how they micromanage even their local operations in the usa a lot of this information is being blocked over the cuban delegation with rubio, which will hopefully exposes information. they laughed at what a four-year-old child would do smoking marijuana with fidel

castro in this book. click that is gerald -- >> that is gerald in ohio. we are expecting to hear momentarily from alan gross, a man released after five years of imprisonment in cuba. the cuban president, a headline from the cuban website, "cuban debate." it says they returned, and the , the fiveaying prisoners exchanged are in cuba. that statement by the president, rattled castro. in about 10 minutes, we will show you that later. we will also show you comments from chris van hollen who also accompany alan gross back to the united states. you can follow that at c-span.org. secretary kerry at three cut p.m. -- at 3:00 p.m. eastern. a cuban-american. go ahead. i am calling from miami.

i am a 21-year-old cuban-american. in 2003 tocame become a u.s. citizen. i must say i am really happy this has happened today, although i am not happy they changed the three spies and seven back to cuba. i am really happy for having to engage cuba diplomatically. i think we can solve many more issues that way. know,lso happy that, you today, americans can travel easier to cuba now. right to gody has a where we please. weapons that we can come to cuba, where, you know, we can go to cuba, we can go anywhere. say, the embargo for 50

years, i am totally in accordance with president obama's opinion on this. i just hope they can agree to this and can't see the bright side -- engaging cuba and the changes it can bring. >> on the move by the administration today, expect to make major changes in trade and travel and finance between the united states and cuba. we will hear from secretary kerry this afternoon at three clock p.m. eastern. live coverage here on c-span. alan gross returns today after five years of imprisonment in cuba. we will take you live there waiting for alan gross to speak to reporters. >> a long silence cause, and he said, i will believe it when i see it. this morning, the andrews air base, his wife, judy, as well as

senator leahy and congressman van hollen, got into a plane to cuba, where they landed. they found alan gross there and spent about 30 minutes on the ground. we were told, coincidentally, while he was visiting with the members of congress -- i'm sorry. that is later. he gets on the plane and on the him, more than --e years of captivity, >> here on c-span, we are waiting to hear from alan gross, who was released today from cuba after five years of imprisonment here it he had been a for usaid.or imprisoned there in his failing health and we shall hear momentarily from alan growth. leahyt this time, patrick and chris van hollen, who accompanied him back from cuba today.

live coverage here on c-span. >> standby. >> hello. this is great. i have to say happy holiday

season to all of you. today is the first day of hanukkah. hanukkaht is the best i will be celebrating for a long time. what a blessing it is to be a citizen of this country and thank you, president obama, for everything you have done. today and leading up to today. to acknowledge the extraordinary determined efforts of my wife, judy. 44 and a half years we have been married. my lawyer and personal moses, scott gilbert. to restore myrts freedom. they have my endless gratitude, love and respect.