WASHINGTON
The Republican-controlled Senate Appropriations Committee voted Thursday to remove restrictions for Americans who want to travel to Cuba.
Four Republicans joined 14 Democrats in the 18-12 vote. It is the first measure to pass committee that would help facilitate President Barack Obama’s efforts to normalize relations with the Cold War adversary.
“Positive change in Cuba will take time,” Sen. Patrick Leahy said in a statement. “But it will come not as a result of stubborn nostalgia by a vociferous few for the [Fulgencio] Batista years, but by visiting Cuba, listening to the Cuban people, and engaging with them.” Batista served as Cuban president before being overthrown during the Cuban revolution.
The measure will now move to the full Senate for a vote.
On Monday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez presided over a flag raising ceremony at Havana’s mission, which was converted from an interests section to a full embassy as full diplomatic relations were restored after a more than 50-year impasse.
Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to visit the U.S. embassy in Havana on Aug. 14 to preside over an opening ceremony.
