House passes bill that would roll back Cuba travel progress

House passes bill that would roll back Cuba travel progress
By Robert Silk / July 08, 2016

The House of Representatives on Thursday night approved a measure that
would put an end to the people-to-people exchanges used by tour
operators and the Fathom cruise line to run Cuba trips.
The House also approved a measure that would prohibit financial
transactions with the Cuban military. That impacts travel, according to
a report by the geopolitical intelligence firm Stratfor, since the
military runs much of Cuba's tourism infrastructure, including hotels
and tour companies.
Still, resistance from President Obama and the Senate means the House
proposals face long odds of becoming law.
The measures were contained within the far broader House financial
services appropriations bill, which passed by a count of 239 to 185
Thursday night on a largely party line vote.
The proposal that would end people-to-people exchanges would do so by
tightening the definition of educational exchanges, one of the 12
approved categories under which Americans can travel to Cuba, to only
include educational travel involving academic programs. At present,
people-to-people exchanges are allowed under the education exchanges
provision.
The House financial services bill conflicts with the Senate's version of
the legislation. Last month, as part of a debate on its own financial
services bill, the Senate appropriations committee passed an amendment
that would end the remaining restrictions on travel to Cuba. The measure
passed on a voice vote without opposition.
Congressional observers expect that financial services appropriations
will ultimately be lumped into an omnibus spending bill late in the
year, which would maintain the status quo on Cuba travel.
But even if Congress does pass legislation doing away with
people-to-people travel to Cuba, it could be vetoed by Obama, who has
led efforts to reengage with Cuba.

Source: House passes bill that would roll back Cuba travel progress:
Travel Weekly -
http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/House-passes-bill-that-would-roll-back-Cuba-travel-progress