US restrictions on trade with Cuba and family travel to the island would be eased under legislation passed by the House of Representatives yesterday, although the changes could encounter trouble in the Senate.
Supporters hope congressional action will be the first step towards reviewing and possibly reversing the decades-old US policy of shunning Cuba. Tucked into a larger spending bill, most of the changes would expire on September 30th unless there is a move to extend them by Congress or President Barack Obama.
Mr Obama has made clear he favours relaxing limits on family travel and cash remittances by Cuban Americans to Cuba, although he has said the US trade embargo against that country should stay in place to press for democratic reforms.
The legislation approved by the House does not lift the overall embargo, but it would prohibit the Treasury Department from enforcing Bush administration rules requiring payment of cash in advance for agricultural sales to Cuba.
Analysts believe that US rice sales to Cuba will soar if the provision becomes law. Rice sales declined every year after the cash-in-advance rules were imposed in 2005, because Cuba could turn to Vietnam - a country with which it has close ties - for rice on easier terms.
The House-passed legislation also would provide for general licenses for travel to and from Cuba for marketing and selling agricultural products, and it would allow Americans with relatives in Cuba to travel there more frequently and for longer periods of time.
But the measure must pass the Senate before becoming law, and Florida Republican Senator Mel Martinez, a Cuban-American, opposes the changes, an aide said. Mr Martinez could try to use Senate procedural hurdles to stop the bill.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said last month the Obama administration wants to ease travel restrictions on families wishing to visit relatives in Cuba and she pledged a review of Cuba policy.
Reuters