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Restrictions on family travel and remittances to Cuba have emerged as one of the final sticking points in reaching a deal on end-of-year government funding legislation stalled before Congress.
Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY) and Democratic aides cited a provision inserted into the so-called "megabus" as a sticking point in reaching a deal on the bill, which would fund the government through the end of its fiscal year next September.
"I know that this is a lot of, maybe it sounds like theater, but it is the result of people simply making an anti-Castro statement without thinking of the consequences," Serrano said.
The policy rider, introduced by Florida GOP Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, was included as an amendment to the Financial Services Appropriations bill, and would revert travel restrictions and rules regarding remittances to Cuba back to where they were before the Obama administration took action on the issue.
"What you have is a situation where, in a desire to get bills through, and I under that there are nine bills that need to be approved, this one last sticking point is still hanging around, without people fully understand the ramifications of what it means to people," Serrano said.
President Obama changed restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba in 2009. Since then, Serrano said, that over 300,000 people have scheduled travel to Cuba, something that could be jeopardized if this provision is passed.
"For the first time this past summer, people did something that is very common with Dominicans, and Mexicans, and Puerto Ricans, they sent their children to spend time with Grandma in Cuba and learn Spanish and so on," Serrano said. "The irony of this is 52 years later Castro is still an issue in Congress."
The Republican Chairman to the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Hal Rogers (KY), admitted to journalists that there were "still some things yet to be completed," but said he was "optimistic" that they would strike a deal.
Congress has until midnight Friday to pass a piece of legislation that extends government funding for the 2012 fiscal year. If they fail to do so, the government will shut down.
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What is up with the right wing nuts always wanting to go BACKWARDS?
I prefer to move MY country forward!
You know the irony of this is most the Cuban-American community of today was born in the US. They don't really know, except by family stories, that much about Castro. Let them go visit Grandma. Castro is on his last legs - Cuba wants to move forward, so should we.
That is what these right wing nut jobs do.
Phine, Being born in the US does not mean they know little about Castro. Since their parents fled Cuba or are Cuban refugees, I am sure their parents have taught them a lot about him and they probably know more about Castro from those family stories than most Americans. That being said, I don't see this being a huge issue. Sure , Cuba gets US dollars to support the regime, but they also get young American Ambassadors when they go there to visit. However, as long as a Castro is in charge, there is no indication that Cuba wants to move forward.
I am not sure how this is a funding issue...why can't bills be bills for there sole intent instead of sticking a bunch of riders that have nothing to do with the actual legislation proposed? If you want a Cuba travel bill, then propose it, don't stick it as a rider to another bill. If I am missing something I would love to have it explained...politely Bob and Spanky.
Agree Yo, The Government take over of the college lending program should never have been attached to Obamacare. The only reason it was attached is so the savings kept Obamacare under a trillion. It makes a bad bill look better or makes a good bill look not as good but still good enough. There is your explanation.
Agreed--all these riders cause nothing but problems.
Typical political BS.
And what is this remittance to Cuba, of which you speak?
Are we talking about Gitmo?......We gotta pay to stay...yes, I know, but maybe it can eventually be turned into a National Park, like Alcatraz!
Creepy place, Alcatraz!
Thank You Cubanos!!! Weren't you the people who cost the Dems the 2000 election because of the E. Gonzalez affair? You remember what that brought us don't you? 4500 dead Gi's..100,000= Iraqis killed..40,000 wounded. Over a trillion added to the national debt...Yup...Thanks CubaNoS.
NO TorpedoYou.......actually, it was the Supreme Court that handed us, and the World Dubya with his destructive policies!
Wow,Torpedo that was just crazy! Steve you are far to sensible. You will never make it as a congressman.
Cuban girls are hot..