Cuba-US relations: House Republicans reveal legislation to continue travel restrictions to Cuba

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Independent

Cuba-US relations: House Republicans reveal legislation to continue travel restrictions to Cuba
Payton Guion
New York
Tuesday 28 April 2015

Republicans in the US House of Representatives have introduced legislation aimed at blocking recent efforts by President Barack Obama to ease travel restrictions between the US and Cuba.

The legislation, which was sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, would block new flights and cruises to Cuba from the US, the Associated Press reported. It has been tacked onto a crucial transportation spending bill that the House will take on next month.

Mr Diaz-Balart, himself a Cuban-American, has introduced the legislation after months of thawing relations between the US and the communist Caribbean country. In January, the Obama administration announced plans to ease travel restrictions to Cuba and to allow regular flights for the first time.

“Under these circumstances, Congress cannot remain idle,” Rep. Diaz-Balart said. “The expansion of regularly scheduled flights to Cuba is an obvious attempt to circumvent the tourism ban. Similarly, allowing cruises to dock in Cuba would violate both the spirit and the letter of US law.

Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/cubaus-relations-house-republicans-reveal-legislation-to-continue-travel-restrictions-to-cuba-10211093.html

[SoapBox]

1. But, but, but...

Wasn't Texas sending a group down there for "trade"?

DOH! Conflict!

[mpcamb]

8. Posturing?

Maybe pull a few fringe types in?
Everyone I know on either side of the fence welcomes the end of the embargo.
Few Miami holdouts have had their sway too long.

[okaawhatever]

2. Tacked on to the transportation bill? Great, either we get our infrastructure or we allow the

President to do his job. Can't have both says this azzhole.

Does anyone questin why a trade document between 12 countries shouldn't be amended?

[geomon666]

3. Good relations between the US and Cuba is a nightmare for the Cuban Exile lobbyists.

They will fight it with everything in their being. Why? Money, of course.

[jtuck004]

4. Hate and fear have a way of becoming a habit. Especially if one tries hard enough. n/t

[Zorra]

5. They're afraid we might pick up some un-'murican commie ideas if we visit Cuba.

Dangerous ideas like bringing free higher education, and free medical care to the US

[DBoon]

9. Medical tourism to Cuba

Might make the American medical system look bad.

can't have that

[madokie]

13. I think you are on to something here

Medical tourism to Cuba, can't be having that now can they

[sailfla]

6. AT&T, IBM, Hilton, Walmart, etc have all been waiting for a sane strategy with Cuba.

Ain't nobody gonna stop what the president started

[dhill926]

7. assholes being assholes....

[mwooldri]

10. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

If America wants Cuba to reform then we need to be open to Cuba.

[flamingdem]

11. The pipsqueaks are at it again

soon enough they'll be hearing an echo and planning their retirement - not in Cuba!

[Judi Lynn]

15. I learned from someone who already looked into it that the US won't send Soc.Security checks to Cuba

which has deterred US citizens from retiring there years ago!

[damyank913]

12. I do not understand the Cuban-American that doesn't support normalization of relations.

Other than some old parental grudge against Castro-what could be the reason? I'm open to at least hear their logic. on the surface it seems like a very positive development.

[Daniel537]

14. They really do not want to accept the reality of Cuba today.

The older generation still has delusions of regaining their old properties and returning to a capitalist, affluent(for them) Havana. its anathema for them to accept Cuba as it is today, Castro or non-Castro in office.

[damyank913]

16. That's kinda what I thought.

But, then again, I'm not Cuban. Just the possibility of seeing family again would influence me.

[Daniel537]

17. Most older exiles don't have family, at least close family, left in Cuba.

But family is certainly the main motivator for why recent Cuban immigrants are supportive of ending the embargo and normalizing relations, so for one group it certainly matters, to the other one its not even an issue.