Will Senate vote to ease Cuba embargo?

Will Senate vote to ease Cuba embargo?

by: William Gibson July 30, 2010 11:18 AM

A bill that would ease the process of selling food to Cuba is heading toward the Senate floor.

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday added the Cuba provision to a broader financial services spending bill for next fiscal year. It would slightly weaken the embargo by making it easier to finance food sales. Cuba would no longer be required to pay cash in advance before acquiring American farm goods.

Senator Byron Dorgan

“This provision would allow America’s farmers to compete on a more equal playing field with farmers from the rest of the world who are able to sell to Cuba, and do, without their government putting up roadblocks in their way,” said Senator Byron Dorgan, a Democrat from North Dakota.

Dorgan sponsored legislation in 2000 that opened up agricultural trade with Cuba, which led to more than $2.5 billion of sales. The former George W. Bush administration, which wanted to restrict trade with Cuba and strictly enforce the embargo, imposed rules in 2005 to require cash in advance.

Embargo proponents -- led by Cuban-American members of Congress from South Florida and New Jersey -- have blocked past attempts to ease food sales. This year’s attempt may be successful because of pressure to expand markets for American goods and because the Obama administration is moving slowly and cautiously toward a less confrontational policy toward Cuba.

Cuba’s recent decision to release some political prisoners may improve the chances for Dorgan’s amendment.

Many members of the House and Senate are pushing to remove the ban on American tourist travel to Cuba. But the Obama administration has stopped short of seeking such a substantial change until Cuba shows signs of moving toward democratic reforms.