HAVANA: Legislation introduced by House Republicans would block new flights and cruise ship travel to Cuba, a stark reversal from recent efforts made by President Barack Obama to normalize relations between the two countries.
Sponsored by Cuban-American Rep. Mari Diaz-Balart of Florida, the measure was added to a must-pass transportation spending bill the House will vote on next month, reported the Associated Press.
In January, the Obama administration issued new rules significantly easing travel restrictions on Cuba, for the first time allowing regularly scheduled flights to and from the country. Travelers are no longer required to obtain a license from the Treasury Department before heading to the country, but the trip must be for educational, religious or other permitted purposes.
Earlier this month, President Obama also approved removing Cuba off the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. Republicans said last week that they would not challenge that decision.
Diaz-Balart says the administration violated U.S. law which bans tourists from visiting Cuba.
“Under these circumstances, Congress cannot remain idle,” Rep. Diaz-Balart said, according to AP. “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.”
“Increased travel to Cuba directly funds the individuals and institutions that oppress the Cuban people. Increased travel also provides dollars to a regime caught smuggling weapons to North Korea in violation of international sanctions, harboring US terrorists like Joanne Chesimard and William Morales, and supporting terrorist organizations like the FARC,” Diaz-Balart said.
“Congress cannot look away as the president implements policies that channel dollars to an anti-American dictatorship,” Diaz-Balart added.
Diaz-Balart’s measure would leave in place new rules allowing the import of goods such as cigars and rum.
The legislation still has to face votes in the House Appropriations Committee and the full House. In its current form, it would almost certainly draw a veto threat from the White House.
