In what has become something of an annual ritual, the House of Representatives yesterday approved an amendment to appropriations legislation to expand commerce with Cuba. But while the House has voted every year since 1999 either to lift the embargo or the travel ban, this year it limited itself to an important technical change that would kick start farm exports to the island dictatorship:
In a brief House floor debate on the amendment, supporters argued that Cuba is–technically–open to U.S. agricultural exports now, due to an exemption from the embargo approved in 2000. Two years ago, however, the Treasury Department began to require that Cuba pay for these goods before they are shipped. And why is that such a problem? Because Cuba doesn’t pay its bills. This is from the floor statement of Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a Cuban American proponent of the existing policy:
It’s not the change in Congressional leadership that’s led Cuba trade advocates to lower their sights, according to the WEEKLY STANDARD”s own Duncan Currie. He says “there was not an anti-embargo majority when Republicans were in control; now, my guess is, there would be. But if any bill weakening Cuba sanctions reaches his desk, President Bush will veto it… he has been absolutely consistent on this issue.” And in case you think President Bush might change his mind, the ‘Statement of Administration Policy’ on the bill includes this rather clear statement: ‘If the final version of the bill contained a provision that weakens current restrictions against Cuba, the President would veto the bill.’ So if Fidel wants to enjoy any American farm products before the good Lord takes him away, he’d better get out his checkbook.
