Senate Panel to Ease Cuba Restrictions (W* expected to veto)

[Mika]

Senate Panel to Ease Cuba Restrictions
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/news/politics/6327107.htm

WASHINGTON - The Senate Appropriations Committee voted Thursday to make it easier for U.S. businesses and farm groups to visit Cuba and sell food, other farm products and medicine there.

Despite President Bush's opposition to any warming of relations with Fidel Castro's government, the Senate panel included language in a $17 billion spending bill that would allow visitors to bypass a Treasury Department licensing restriction.

Farm state lawmakers were unopposed in tacking the provision by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., onto a bill funding the Agriculture Department and Food and Drug Administration next year.

A Senate panel's action sets up a confrontation with the House, where the chairman of its appropriations committee, Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla., opposes any further lessening of sanctions against Castro's government.

John Scofield, a spokesman for the House Appropriations Committee, said the measure invites a presidential veto.

[Ponderer]

1. Is it even going to be passed?

n/t