Bangkok--22 Feb--eTurboNews
Congress Takes First Step
"The President shall not regulate or prohibit, directly or indirectly, travel to or from Cuba by United States citizens or legal residents, or any of the transactions incident to such travel“
HR 654 was submitted on January 24th by Charles Rangel, the powerful chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. It has already gained bipartisan co-sponsorship from more than sixty Representatives. Comparable legislation will be presented in the Senate at the end of February.
The bill allows all American travel agents to compete freely and equally in booking trips to Cuba, eliminating the current cumbersome license status of “Travel Service Provider”.
It will allow use of credit cards, but does not lift the embargo on trade and investment, in fact, “does not authorize the importation into the United States of any goods for personal consumption acquired in Cuba.”
Travel Agents Play Critical Role next six months decisive
As a result of the 2006 mid-term election, legislation to end all travel restrictions has good prospects for bipartisan passage in both the House and Senate. It will face determined opposition and the threat of a Presidential veto.