PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Half of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation is joining President Barack Obama on his trip to Cuba next week.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Rep. David Cicilline, both Democrats, will be traveling to the island with Obama and his family.
It will be the first visit to Cuba by a sitting U.S. president in nearly nine decades.
Whitehouse says it’s time for a different approach after decades of strained relations between the countries. He says shared interests include commerce, travel and conserving oceans.
The senator also traveled to Cuba last year after Obama announced that diplomatic ties would be restored.
Whitehouse’s office says he will leave Sunday and return Tuesday.
