Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts is skeptical of President Barack Obama’s decision to restore diplomatic ties with Cuba and suggested the result is only a “public relations change.”
The Republican senator said Sunday that the Democratic president needs to consult Congress on changing U.S. policy toward Cuba and questioned whether Obama can restore diplomatic relations through executive actions.
Roberts said failing to consult with Congress only will “poison the well.”
The senator also said he doesn’t think Cuban President Raul Castro or his older-brother and longtime Cuban dictator Fidel Castro have changed in not respecting individual freedoms. Roberts said the U.S. is supposed to stand for those freedoms.
Roberts said he doesn’t know what’s being gained from Obama’s actions “except a public relations change.”