U.S. Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Give Americans Unrestricted Travel to Cuba

Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced a bill to permit American citizens unrestricted travel to Cuba, according to the Library of Congress website.

The “Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act,” which would overturn the 46-year-old U.S. policy strictly limiting travel to the Caribbean island, will be subject to debate after being referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The bill, introduced by Massachusetts Democrat Bill Delahunt and backed by eight other lawmakers, states that “the President may not regulate or prohibit, directly or indirectly, travel to or from Cuba by United States citizens or legal residents.”

Currently U.S. nationals are supposed to request Treasury Department permission to visit Cuba. They are not routinely allowed to spend money in Cuba, creating an effective travel ban.