U.S. lawmakers move to block flights to Cuba

U.S. lawmakers move to block flights to Cuba

Four members of Congress, including three Republicans and a Democrat,
have officially called for a halt to the recently announced commercial
flights between the United States and the communist nation until a
closer review of security measures at Cuba's efforts can be conducted.
BY FRANCO ORDOÑEZ
fordonez@mcclatchydc.com

WASHINGTON A group of U.S. lawmakers want to block the Obama
administration's efforts to open up the United States airways to flights
from Cuba. Citing concerns about Cuba's security infrastructure, four
members of Congress, including three Republicans and a Democrat, have
officially called for a halt to the recently announced commercial
flights between the United States and the communist nation until a
closer review of security measures at Cuba's efforts can be conducted.

"How can this administration guarantee the American people there won't
be a security threat on one of those planes?" said Rep. Richard Hudson,
R-N.C. a former chair of the Transportation Security subcommittee.

U.S. Department of Transportation announced last week that ten cities,
including four in Florida, and eight airlines won tentative U.S.
government approval to schedule commercial air service between the
United States and Havana, Cuba. Last month, the department awarded
approval to six airlines to nine other Cuban cities.

The addition of commercial flights to Cuba are seen as one of the
biggest steps the White House has taken to loosen the U.S. trade embargo
on Cuba since Dec. 17, 2014, when President Barack Obama and Cuban
leader Raúl Castro announced that they would take steps to normalize
relations.

The administration has also eliminated limits on remittances, restored
direct mail and allowed American companies to sell to Cuba on credit.

The DOT could not be immediately reached for a comment. The
Transportation Security Administration says it is currently assessing
security measures at the Cuban airports at any new startup airports that
are approved for service between Cuba and the United States. TSA is also
working to finalize an arrangement with the Government of Cuba on having
Federal Air Marshals on flights between the United States and Cuba.

U.S. Rep. John Katko, R-NY, who is leading the push to stop the flights
and current chair of the Transportation Security subcommittee,
introduced legislation Tuesday with Hudson and Homeland Security
Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Tx., and Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Tx., that
would prohibit commercial air travel between the United States and Cuba
until the Transportation Security Administration certifies that Cuban
airports have appropriate security measures. The bill also asks the
Government Accountability Office to confirm that Cuba meets the standards.

It's unclear what future the legislation will have. Support has been
growing on both sides of the aisle for better ties with Cuba, which is
only 90 miles from the tip of Florida.

While one Democrat has signed up to support legislation, it is unlike
many others will join an effort that goes against one of President
Barack Obama's most prominent policy initiatives. The legislation does
have a better chance of passing the more conservative House, but a
growing number of Republican Senators have signaled their support for
improve relations seeing economic opportunities for their districts.
Several Republicans joined Obama, for example, on his trip to Cuba this
Spring.

But Katko wants to slow things down. He notes that it was only last year
that Cuba was removed as a state sponsor of terrorism. Katko was among a
group of members of the Homeland Security Committee who were denied
visas to Cuba for a scheduled visit to review security measures at Cuban
airports.

"We still don't know if Cuba has the adequate body scanners and
explosive detection systems in place, whether it has the technology to
screen for fraudulent passports or ID, whether or how aviation workers
are screened, and if federal air marshals will be allowed to fly
missions to Cuba on commercial flights," he said in a statement.

EMAIL: FORDONEZ@MCCLATCHYDC.COM; TWITTER: @FRANCOORDONEZ

Source: A group of U.S. lawmakers want to halt flights from Cuba | In
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