Senate panel approves lifting Cuba travel ban

[Judi Lynn]

Senate panel approves lifting Cuba travel ban
By Melanie Zanona - 06/16/16 02:34 PM EDT

A Senate panel easily approved a spending bill amendment on Thursday that would lift a travel ban preventing American tourists from flying to Cuba.

Prior to advancing the fiscal 2017 spending bill for financial services and general government, the Senate Appropriations Committee adopted four separate amendments related to travel and trade with Cuba.

One amendment approved by voice vote would prohibit federal funds from being used to restrict air travel to Cuba. The language is backed by Sens. Patrick Leahy One amendment approved by voice vote would prohibit federal funds from being used to restrict air travel to Cuba. The language is backed by Sens. Patrick Leahy(D-Vt.), Dick Durbin(D-Ill.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.).

Another amendment, also endorsed by voice vote, would allow international flights traveling to or from Cuba to refuel at Bangor Airport in Maine. Flights currently have to refuel in Canada instead of the U.S. because of restrictions mandated by the trade embargo on Cuba.

More:
http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/283784-senate-panel-approves-lifting-cuba-travel-ban

[midnight]

1. “The federal government shouldn't be in the business of policing Americans' vacation plans,"

said James Williams, president of Engage Cuba. "The travel ban is inconsistent with our values as a free society and I'm glad the Senate Appropriations Committee made it overwhelmingly clear they want that to change.”

I wondered about this for a long time?