New US bill allows travel to Cuba
Published:Wednesday | February 11, 2009 | 1:28 PM
A new Bill has been introduced in the US House of Representatives, to permit US citizens to travel freely to Cuba.
Currently Americans must request permission from the Treasury Department to visit Cuba.
The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act will overturn the 46 year old US policy limiting travel to Havana, and will be subject to debate after being referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The new Bill states that the President may not regulate or prohibit, directly or indirectly, travel to or from Cuba by United States citizens or legal residents.
During his presidential campaign, US leader Barack Obama said the Cuba embargo had not helped to bring democracy to the island.
However, he has only stated that he would end some sanctions on Cuban Americans travelling to Havana, and eliminate limits on their remittances to relatives at home.