Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D?WA, made the remarks during a recent briefing in Seattle following a congressional delegation trip to Cuba, where she discussed the island's worsening fuel shortages and US policy toward the communist regime.

"I was in conversations with ambassadors from Mexico and some other places … trying to figure out how to get oil there," Jayapal said during the briefing, describing conditions on the island as "a crisis beyond imagination."

Jayapal said the comments were part of a broader discussion on the humanitarian situation in Cuba following her visit last month.

"As many of you know, I traveled to Cuba as part of a congressional delegation last month," she said. "It is part of my role to see how US foreign policy is actually affecting the people in the countries where that policy is being implemented."

During the trip, Jayapal said she met with Cuban President Miguel Díaz?Canel, senior government officials, political dissidents, civil society groups, and foreign diplomats.

Jayapal's remarks drew sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers, who accused her of attempting to undermine US sanctions and foreign policy.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-UT, wrote on X that "there's something wrong with a member of Congress actively working to undermine the application of US law against a foreign adversary."

Sen. Ted Cruz, R?TX, called the move "shameful," describing it as an example of "Democrats openly supporting our communist enemies."

Rep. Clay Fuller, R?GA, said there is "something deeply un?American about coordinating with a foreign adversary against the president of the United States."

Lee and Fuller both suggested Jayapal's actions could violate the Logan Act, a rarely enforced 1799 federal law that prohibits unauthorized US citizens from negotiating with foreign governments in disputes with the United States.

The Logan Act has produced no successful prosecutions in modern history, though it is periodically cited in political disputes involving foreign contacts by US officials or private citizens.

"If she violated the Logan Act, she should be prosecuted," Rep. Randy Fine, R-FL, told The Daily Signal.

Fine added that she was openly admitting and boasting about circumventing US foreign policy because she is "likely a dual citizen" who doesn't "share American values."

"She is not loyal to this country, we shouldn't be surprised when she works with our enemies," Fine added.

Cuba is designated by the United States as a state sponsor of terrorism and has long faced criticism from human rights organizations for suppressing political dissent, restricting free speech, and imprisoning political opponents.

Cuban dissidents and community leaders, such as Florida legislative aide Miguel Granda, Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-FL, and Trump-endorsed Florida state Rep. David Borrero, have described Cuba's communist regime as "murderers," an abuser of "egregious human rights violations," and a "regime of dictators, narco-terrorists, and communists."

Additionally, a study from Florida International University found that a majority of the 2.4 million Cubans in the United States oppose the island's communist regime and want to see an end to nearly seven decades of dictatorship. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Pedro Boccalato Rodriguez-Aparicio is a journalism fellow at the Daily Signal.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

'I Still Have a Dream' – MLK Jr.'s Niece Rejects SPLC's Hate-Mongering in Powerhouse Testimony

Michigan Town Bans Church From Holding Worship Services: Lawsuit

Cleveland Clinic to Provide $2M for Detransition Care, Won't Perform Sex-Change Procedures for Minors

'Not Above the Law': VP Vance Refers New Fraud Allegations against Tim Walz to DOJ

Confirmed: Gov Tim Walz, AG Keith Ellison Knew for 6 YEARS of Rampant MN Fraud But Said Nothing in Order to 'Keep Somali Votes'

Republican Candidate Steve Hilton Advances in California Governor's Primary Race

Rick Scott: Late LA Mayor Race Results Prove SAVE America is Necessary

Socialist Raman Defeats Spencer Pratt in LA Mayor Race with Last-Minute Vote Surge

Who Are the 13 Patriots Honored in Freedom Plaza?

The Left Couldn't Pause the Politics for One Lousy Day for 'The Great American State Fair'

One Player Refuses to Wear 'Pride' Hat During LA Dodgers' LGBT Night

What Happened to Spencer Pratt Is Why the Supreme Court Decision on Election DAY Is Key

Kash Patel Touts FBI 'Full-throttle Mission' after Operation Spring Cleaning Yields 615 Indictments/Complaints

Iranian Young People and Students Are Bravely Taking to the Streets Again in Protests against the Islamic Regime

Sirens Blare Throughout Israel as Iran and Houthis Fire Barrage of Missiles

Massive 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Southern Philippines, Triggers Tsunami Warnings across Pacific Region [Video]

Why Christianity Is Soaring in Iran While Islam Is Collapsing

Canada's Senate Passes Anti-Christian 'Bible Ban' Bill C-9, Now Heads to House of Commons

Good News: US Private Payrolls Post Biggest Gain Since January 2025

Four Senate Republicans Again Unite With Dems to Block Voter ID, SAVE America Act