WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- The House ignored GOP opposition and voted Wednesday to approve an amendment allowing American tourists to travel to Cuba.
Supporters of the amendment, which was offered by Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said the proposal would advance freedom in the communist nation. Opponents said it would only bolster Fidel Castro's dictatorship.
The amendment, attached to the Treasury and Transportation Departments appropriations bill, passed 227-188.
CNSnews.com said House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, issued a statement saying: "This amendment would reward injustice. There is no such thing as a 'Cuban tourism industry.' There is only Fidel Castro and his thugocracy."
Supporters, however, told CNSnews.com the 40-year attempt to isolate the communist nation both politically and economically has failed and lifting the U.S. travel ban is the first step in changing that policy.
Current law allows Americans to visit Cuba but only with special U.S. government approval. President Bush has said he will veto the appropriations bill if it contains the Cuban travel amendment.
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Supporters of the amendment, which was offered by Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said the proposal would advance freedom in the communist nation. Opponents said it would only bolster Fidel Castro's dictatorship.
The amendment, attached to the Treasury and Transportation Departments appropriations bill, passed 227-188.
CNSnews.com said House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, issued a statement saying: "This amendment would reward injustice. There is no such thing as a 'Cuban tourism industry.' There is only Fidel Castro and his thugocracy."
Supporters, however, told CNSnews.com the 40-year attempt to isolate the communist nation both politically and economically has failed and lifting the U.S. travel ban is the first step in changing that policy.
Current law allows Americans to visit Cuba but only with special U.S. government approval. President Bush has said he will veto the appropriations bill if it contains the Cuban travel amendment.
http://interestalert.com/brand/site...r&Fid=NATIONAL&Type=News&Filter=National News
Copyright 2003 by United Press International.
All rights reserved.
