A delegation of Democratic legislators visited Cuba over the weekend to further discuss the rekindling of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the island nation. Led by Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the six-person delegation met with Cuban dignitaries as well as dissidents. The State Department also announced it will send its own delegation to Cuba.

Sen. Leahy along with Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Reps. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Peter Welch of Vermont traveled to Cuba to meet with Cuban officials, members of the civil society and other foreign dignitaries, Leahy's office said in a statement.

"We have all been to Cuba before, and we strongly support the President's new direction for our policy toward Cuba," Sen. Leahy said. "We are going this time to discuss our expectations, and the Cubans' expectations, for the normalization of relations. We want to explore opportunities for greater cooperation, and to encourage Cuban officials to address issues of real concern to the American people and to their representatives in Congress."

This is the first trip by American officials to Cuba since Alan Gross was freed in Dec. 17, 2014. Sen. Leahy was present then too. The group returned to the U.S. on Monday.

According to Reuters, the delegation met with Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez and anti-government dissidents.

Speaking at a press conference in Havana, Sen. Leahy talked positively about the trip.

"I think he (Rodriguez) is open to every single issue from trade to communications to establishing relations in agriculture," he said. "Name an issue. They're involved. It's not like we're negotiating with countries we've been at war with."

However, the legislators warned a legal shift of American policy, particularly concerning the embargo, would be difficult with a Republican-controlled Congress.

Despite this shortcoming, the majority of Americans favor President Barack Obama's shift in policy. The Pew Research Center found 63 percent of Americans favor reestablishing diplomatic ties, and 66 percent favor ending the embargo. Though Americans remain somewhat skeptical of progress, as only 32 percent believe the shift will bring greater democracy to communist Cuba.

The Obama administration will continue working toward stronger diplomatic relations in spite of the potential congressional obstacles.

The State Department said in a telephone conference that Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson would visit Cuba from Jan. 21 through Jan. 24. This is the first trip by an American dignitary of her stature in 38 years.

"In addition to the re-accreditation of our diplomats, we are looking forward to the Cubans lifting travel restrictions, to trying to lift the caps on the number of our diplomatic personnel, to trying to gain unimpeded shipments for our mission, and to the free access to our mission by Cubans," a senior State Department official said.

The trip will focus on these goals before broadening their scope. The State Department hopes to test the waters and see how Cuba reacts to the first meeting before moving further.

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