some updated news on cuba and usa

karmaz00 · 03-10-2009, 12:04 PM

Cuba Policy Change Awaits Senate Vote

Posted: Monday, March 09, 2009

By Andrew Nagy

Just as it appeared Congress was closer to overturning long-standing U.S. policy by easing Cuba travel restrictions for Americans, the provision, now part of an omnibus spending bill, appears stalled in the Senate.

If passed, the bill, introduced in the House on February 4, would grant U.S. citizens and legal residents the right to visit Cuba as well as allow Cuban Americans to send money to relatives and visit them more often.

House Democrats opted to attach the bill's language to a broader, $410 billion omnibus spending bill that is needed to pass so the 12 Cabinet departments and other agencies can keep running. The House passed the bill on February 25 by a margin of 245-178.

Now, however, Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Republican Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida, both of Cuban descent, are leading the fight to block the bill in the Senate.

Both senators urged colleagues to vote against the spending bill because the change in U.S.-Cuban foreign policy is attached to it.

On Sunday night, Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada canceled a final procedural vote that would have cleared the way for passage because the bill was one vote shy of attaining 60 votes, the number needed to avoid an opposing filibuster. Debate continued throughout the day on Monday, with neither side able to compromise.

President Obama is expected to sign the bill, should it reach his desk.

mosesbotbol · 03-10-2009, 12:13 PM

Wow! Thanks for the update.

WildBlueSooner · 03-10-2009, 12:13 PM

Interesting. Thanks for posting that!

Texan in Mexico · 03-10-2009, 12:30 PM

Thank you for the post. Its a great way to keep up on the issue!

03-10-2009, 12:04 PM	#1
karmaz00 Habanos Join Date: Dec 2008 First Name: Jason Location: victoria Posts: 1,855 Trading: (1)	some updated news on cuba and usa Cuba Policy Change Awaits Senate Vote Posted: Monday, March 09, 2009 By Andrew Nagy Just as it appeared Congress was closer to overturning long-standing U.S. policy by easing Cuba travel restrictions for Americans, the provision, now part of an omnibus spending bill, appears stalled in the Senate. If passed, the bill, introduced in the House on February 4, would grant U.S. citizens and legal residents the right to visit Cuba as well as allow Cuban Americans to send money to relatives and visit them more often. House Democrats opted to attach the bill's language to a broader, $410 billion omnibus spending bill that is needed to pass so the 12 Cabinet departments and other agencies can keep running. The House passed the bill on February 25 by a margin of 245-178. Now, however, Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Republican Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida, both of Cuban descent, are leading the fight to block the bill in the Senate. Both senators urged colleagues to vote against the spending bill because the change in U.S.-Cuban foreign policy is attached to it. On Sunday night, Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada canceled a final procedural vote that would have cleared the way for passage because the bill was one vote shy of attaining 60 votes, the number needed to avoid an opposing filibuster. Debate continued throughout the day on Monday, with neither side able to compromise. President Obama is expected to sign the bill, should it reach his desk. __________________ Habanos Collector Since 2003

03-10-2009, 12:13 PM	#2
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: some updated news on cuba and usa Wow! Thanks for the update. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

03-10-2009, 12:13 PM	#3
WildBlueSooner I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: James Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 3,322 Trading: (19)	Re: some updated news on cuba and usa Interesting. Thanks for posting that! __________________ "To dilute the will to win is to destroy the purpose of the game. There is no substitute for victory"-- Douglas MacArthur

03-10-2009, 12:30 PM	#4
Texan in Mexico Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Travis Location: Puerto Morelos, Mexico Posts: 958 Trading: (0)	Re: some updated news on cuba and usa Thank you for the post. Its a great way to keep up on the issue!