Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., told GlobalFax while visiting the Carter Center that he would be willing to help the Georgia Council for International Visitors get permission for its trip to Cuba, after it was canceled due to license restrictions.
GCIV had planned to take 150 Georgians to Cuba for an educational program in June. The license category under which GCIV applied, however, the “people-to-people educational exchange,” was eliminated March 24, according to the U.S. Federal Register.
Mr. Baucus addressed this issue during a seminar held on April 4 at the Carter Center to discuss his legislation, Senate bill 403, which calls for an end to the U.S. embargo against Cuba.
He noted that American advocacy groups working with political dissidents in Cuba have sparked recent crackdowns by the Cuban government, which, in turn, have inspired the U.S. to further restrict travel there.
“A better solution would be to allow greater travel, not less,” Mr. Baucus said, adding that his legislation would help to promote respect, if not understanding, between the U.S. and Cuba.
Contact the Senate Finance Committee’s communications office in Washington at (202) 224-4351. Visit www.globalatlanta.com for full text.