Politics

House OKs Ending Cuba Travel Ban

July 25, 2001 / 10:28 PM EDT / AP

The House has voted to lift restrictions on travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens, which sponsors said would be a first step toward ending the communist nation's economic isolation and hastening democratic reforms.

"What we've done is erect our own Berlin Wall preventing the free travel of Americans," said Rep. William Delahunt. "It's time to tear the wall down."

The 240-186 vote Wednesday in favor of lifting the restrictions came on an amendment to the fiscal 2002 spending bill for the Treasury Department, post office, White House and other agencies. The House approved the overall bill later Wednesday on a 334-94 vote, sending it on to the Senate.

U.S. citizens can only travel to Cuba now by obtaining a special license from the Treasury Department, which limits access generally to journalists, academics, government officials and people on humanitarian missions.

Supporters of lifting the travel restrictions said the move would begin to bring U.S. policy toward Cuba in line with that toward other communist countries, such as Vietnam, China and North Korea. The restrictions and other economic embargoes against Cuba, they said, haven't done much to dislodge Cuban leader Fidel Castro or make other significant changes in the country's political system.

"It is time for us to try something different that may actually work," said Rep. Jerry Moran.

Some lawmakers said lifting the travel restrictions should be made contingent on Cuba releasing hundreds of political prisoners and returning fugitive U.S. citizens to this country.

"We need the stick and carrot approach," said Rep. Steve Rothman.