US Senate Panel Surprises with Vote to End Travel Ban to Cuba
HAVANA TIMES — The Republican controlled Senate Appropriations Committee voted 18-12 on Thursday to end the longstanding US travel ban on Cuba, reported CNBC.
The vote of four republicans joining the 14 committee democrats reflects the growing bipartisan support for President Obama’s strategy of engagement with the Caribbean Island.
If the amendment to an appropriations bill makes it all the way to the full Senate and passes, likewise in the House of Representatives, individual US citizens would be able to travel to Cuba for tourism or other purposes without having to fall under a 12-category license that currently bars tourism.
President Obama says he is committed to ending the travel ban and half century US financial and economic embargo on Cuba but will need Congressional approval to do it.
“Our efforts to isolate Cuba, despite our good intentions, increasingly had the opposite effect,” Obama has repeatedly stated in justifying the new policy.
On July 20, Cuba reopened its embassy in Washington and the US did the same in Havana. US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected in the Cuban capital on August 14 for the official flag raising ceremony at the embassy.
Thanks Carlyle! Great one and for JG he better not bring his cellphone, computer, bike, fridge,
toaster, oven, music link, money, TV, which is probably used for free shows i.e. NETFLIX WIFI, google, apple etc. or clothes as they represent consumerism at its worst!
why in heaven name would they allo someone who is hostile to the government of Cuba in the country , isn’t this the government chosen by the majority of Cuban people ,
the headache they are going to get from the American Embassy is more than they need , trust me they could do without you .
The headline ought to be:
US CITIZENS LIBERATED TO TRAVEL AS THEY CHOOSE!
In the Havana Times it should read:
Mr. John Goodrich to be permitted to visit Cuba!