Senators seek to end U.S. restrictions on travel, trade with Cuba

WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan group of senators wants to end travel restrictions on Americans seeking to go to Cuba, saying it would help foster change in the Communist island nation.

Current law generally bans travel to Cuba, although there are numerous exceptions.

Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake said similar legislation to end the ban has cleared the Senate in the past.

The bill faces obstacles in the House and Senate.

In addition to Flake, Republican Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas and Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Patrick Leahy of Vermont attended a news conference Thursday to unveil the measure.

In a letter sent to President Obama on Wednesday, Flake and seven of his Republican colleagues also voiced support for updating U.S. policies on trade with Cuba.

"Increasing both the limit on remittance and the types of goods that can be legally exported to the island will lead to increased demand for U.S. commodities," the senators wrote. "Similarly, the expansion of general licenses for statutorily delineated categories of travel by U.S. citizens will have a similar impact while simultaneously facilitating greater meaningful contact between Americans and everyday Cubans."

The senators expressed a hope that "changes to the current trade and travel relationship will advance our goal of bolstering the vulnerable private sector and increasing entrepreneurship while decreasing the role of state-controlled enterprises."

"With the significance of your recent announcements related to Cuba, we look forward to Congress turning its attention toward modernizing U.S.-Cuba policy to the benefit of U.S. citizens and the Cuban people alike," they continued.

The letter was signed by Flake and Sens. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, Susan Collins, R-Maine, Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, John Boozman, R-Arkansas, and Mike Enzi, R-Wyoming.

In December, President Barack Obama announced plans to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba after more than 50 years. A trade embargo remains in effect and can only be reversed by congressional action.