White House receives visit from Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez

Yoani Sanchez, an internationally recognized Cuban blogger, capped off a day of visits with lawmakers in Washington with a trip to the White House.

"The United States looks forward to the day when all Cubans will have the opportunity to express themselves in public without fear, and we will continue to support policies that encourage the free flow of information to, from and within Cuba," National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in a statement.

Sanchez is taking advantage of the recent easing of travel restrictions to travel the world to promote greater freedom of expression in Cuba, which she currently writes about on her "Generation Y" blog and on social media.

Sanchez, winner of the U.S. State Department’s International Women of Courage Award, met with White House staff, including Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs Ricardo Zuniga.

President Barack Obama is currently visiting the Middle East.

Sanchez on Wednesday was also received by congressional lawmakers, including Cuban-American Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Mario Diaz-Balart and Joe Garcia of Florida.