Havana's Malecon at Sunset (photo from Daily Mail Travel Mail)

The Miami Herald has a long story predicting success for the travel bill in the House but problems in the Senate. It also suggests opposition from the White House. Who does reporter Juan Tamayo talk to? What is his own position?

The full story can be read here with emphasis added.

A key section:

But backers of the changes say the bills have not moved forward through the congressional maze so far because of the lack of active support from the Obama administration and the Democratic leadership in both chambers.

``The Obama people are showing timidity. They are sitting on their hands,'' said a Senate aide whose Democratic boss favors lifting all travel restrictions. He asked for anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on the issue.

Administration officials say lifting all travel restrictions would be too drastic and perhaps chaotic, and the the president prefers a more measured warming of relations. They stop short of saying whether Obama would sign or veto the bill if passed by Congress.*

The Secretary of State testified to Congress that the President will not veto legislation to end the embargo. Does it make sense that the President would veto the partial lifting represented by ending travel limits? Tamayo may also be grasping at straws in whom he chooses to quote about prospects for passage by the Senate.

If the Administration does actually fear that it will lose control over the diplomatic process when travel legislation is adopted, the President can get out ahead by finally enabling general licenses for non-tourist travel. At best, full travel is half a year away and some valuable people-to-people bridge building could take place in the meantime from which the White House will receive credit and can gain advantage.

John McAuliff
Fund for Reconciliation and Development

Links

Governor Bill Richardson's insightful talk at New Democratic Network where he calls for both Administration and Congressional action and reciprocity by Cuba can be seen here.

White House Office of Public Engagement here