U.S. Congressman José E. Serrano ~ Representing the people of the 16th District of New York
3/16/2009
Serrano Eases Restrictions on Family Travel to Cuba
On Wednesday, President Obama signed H.R. 1105 the Omnibus Appropriations Bill into law. Included in the portion of the bill written by Congressman Serrano was language that eased restrictions on family travel to Cuba. In response to the language in the bill the Office of Foreign Assets Control immediately issued new regulations on Cuba travel.
The new regulations expand who Cuban-Americans can visit in Cuba and allows them to stay longer, visit more frequently and spend more money while they are there. "I'm very pleased to see the immediate implementation of the changes," said Serrano after the regulations were changed. "[It] is a welcome change, and a move towards a humane and rational travel policy."
The language in Serrano's portion of the bill also included language to loosen restrictions on agricultural trade with and travel to Cuba.