It appeared, for a brief moment, this summer that lifting the travel ban on US citizens to Cuba might just be the legislative dark horse in this feeble Democratic-led Congress and make it through. Not so after all. Howard Berman, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, had this to say:
"For a very long time, I have either led or supported efforts to repeal restrictions on the freedom of Americans to travel. The current prohibition on Americans traveling to Cuba is the last obstacle to the full enjoyment of this right. I strongly support H.R.4645, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act, which would eliminate the Cuba travel restrictions.
"The Committee had been scheduled to consider this legislation tomorrow, but it now appears that Wednesday will be the last day that Congress is in session before an extended district work period. That makes it increasingly likely that our discussion of the bill will be disrupted or cut short by votes or other activity on the House floor. Accordingly, I am postponing consideration of H.R. 4645 until a time when the Committee will be able to hold the robust and uninterrupted debate this important issue deserves. I firmly believe that when we debate and vote on the merits of this legislation, and I intend for it to be soon, the right to travel will be restored to all Americans."
They'll get another chance after the midterms, but don't hold your breath. Until then, most of us will have to observe from afar how "privatization" or as it's known in Granma, "the great victory of socialism", plays out on the island.
No comments:
Post a Comment