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Senate Eyes Lifting All Travel Bans to Cuba

But Cuban-American senator fights colleagues to block it

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 30, 2009 10:24 AM CDT

(Newser) – A bipartisan group of senators is set to introduce a new bill on US-Cuban relations tomorrow that would remove all legal barriers to traveling to the island, reports the Washington Post. The bill goes far beyond earlier efforts to relax travel restrictions and enjoys support from committee leaders, top Republicans, and the White House. But it has to get past the angry opposition of Bob Menendez, the Cuban-American senator from New Jersey, who told fellow legislators: "Let's duke it out on the floor."

Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, the lead author of the Senate bill, said that reform of Cuban policy is "all over but the shouting." But Menendez is fighting hard to stop any relaxation, going so far as to hold up some of President Obama's appointments. Democrats are annoyed by his stubborn stance on a bill with wide party support, but the New Jersey senator insists that his position is "both heartfelt and principled."

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Soldiers wave Cuban flags in Havana, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009. Banner at back reads in Spanish "Long Live Fidel". (AP Photo/Javier Galeano)

In this Oct. 17, 2008 file photo, a student raises his hand to vote in student council elections as a photo of Cuba's former leader Fidel Castro hangs in an elementary school in Havana. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa/FILE)

Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. listens during testimony on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, April 8, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Senate Democratic Policy Committee chairman Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D. He is the main sponsor of a bill that will transform US-Cuba relations. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

A driver waits for a green light next to the Cuban Capitol building in Havana, Wednesday, March 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano)

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Let's know who's for democracy and human rights and who wants to sell their stuff no matter how many people are in prison. That's fine. At least it will be an honest discussion. - Robert Menendez, Democratic senator from New Jersey

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Senate Eyes Lifting All Travel Bans to Cuba