U.S. Reps. Cheri Bustos (D-IL,17) and Rodney Davis (R-IL,13) are scheduled to visit Cuba next week to seek out agricultural opportunities for Illinois farmers.

"I'm excited to embark on this bipartisan agricultural trade mission because we need to work together to cut through the red tape that holds back Illinois' farming economy," Bustos said in a statement. "Illinois farmers have what it takes to compete and succeed on the global economic playing field. So I'm deeply concerned about how the Cuban embargo has limited their ability to grow and create jobs across our state. I'm looking forward to embarking on this Agricultural Trade Mission so we can build new relationships and develop new strategies to grow Illinois' agricultural economy by increasing our exports."

The bipartisan trip is being sponsored by the Illinois Cuba Working Group and is a "trade mission [meant] to establish new economic development and export opportunities for Illinois farmers."

Along with several diplomatic meetings, Bustos and Davis will meet with officials from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Alimport, which coordinates Cuban overseas purchases.