Tampa Lawmaker Applauds Effort to Loosen Some Cuba Travel Limits

Tue, February 24, 2009 - 2:32 PM

The inclusion in a congressional spending bill of language to allow more frequent visits by people of Cuban descent with their relatives in that country is a big victory for families in the Tampa Bay area, says Tampa Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor.

The language – tucked into the so-called omnibus appropriations bill that also includes a boost in funding for Everglades restoration—is putting some of Castor’s South Florida colleagues who oppose easing Cuba travel restrictions in a bind.

But not so Castor.

“Loosening the restrictions will allow family members to travel during times of personal crisis,” said Castor in statement today about the bill, which is scheduled to be voted on Wednesday in the U.S. House.

“Many of our neighbors are barred from visiting their sick and dying loved ones because of these burdensome restrictions,” she said, noting the bill also reverses the regulatory restrictions imposed by former President Bush on the sale of food and medicine to Cuba.

Family visits are now limited to once every three years for no more than 14 days and travel spending is capped at $50 per day. The new legislation, is signed by President Barack Obama, would allow Cuban-Americans to travel to the island one a year to visit relatives, and spend up to $170 a day.

Castor is among Democrats in both chambers of Congress who have been aggressively pushing for these changes. She noted today that she had written a letter to then-President-elect Obama on Dec. 16 urging that the travel restrictions be lifted.

“As Americans, we cannot allow our policies to bring more hardship to those we intend to help,” Castor wrote. “As Floridians, we cannot expect the Cuban people, many of whom are family to us, to endure more pain.”

-- Billy House, Media General News Service