Boozman touts bipartisan bill to lift Cuba travel ban

U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., was among a bipartisan group of senators to introduce legislation Thursday that would end restrictions on travel to Cuba.

Current law generally bans travel to Cuba, although numerous exceptions exist. President Barack Obama has announced plans to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba after more than 50 years. A trade embargo remains in effect and can be reversed only by congressional action.

The measure introduced Thursday “aims to legislatively address the administration’s proposal to loosen travel restrictions to Cuba and remove restrictions on banking transactions incidental to travel,” Boozman’s office said in a statement.

In addition to Boozman, Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona attended a news conference Thursday to unveil the measure, The Associated Press reported. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.; Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.; Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M.; and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., also backed the bill, according to Boozman’s office.

U.S. Reps. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., and Jim McGovern, D-Mass., are expected to introduce a companion bill in the House next week.

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