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But, on Capitol Hill this week -- debate... over whether to lift the travel ban to the Communist-ruled island.

 

Democratic Congressman Howard Berman is Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

 

[Congressman Howard Berman, Democrat, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman]:

"Lifting the travel ban will benefit both U.S. and Cuban citizens. We need to let Americans be beacons of hope, they will bring freedom with them, let thousands of American visitors chip away at the Castro information monopoly with thousands of small cuts"

 

The United States has restricted trade with Cuba in what started as a Cold War policy to isolate former Cuban President Fidel Castro. U.S. President Barack Obama has said he wants to "recast" ties with Havana and has tried to take steps to ease the embargo.

 

Some Congressional Republicans argue sending U.S. tourists' dollars to Cuba... would only finance the regime. 

 

Republican Congressman Dan Burton.

 

[Dan Burton, Republican Congressman]:

"We shouldn't send any money down there, not a dime, except maybe for humanitarian purposes, until this regime is removed, they need democracy in Cuba."

 

The debate came a day after Human Rights Watch released a report saying current President Raul Castro was crushing dissent like his brother Fidel.

 

 

Late Thursday, remarks by Obama appeared on the blog of dissident Cuban Yoani Sanchez.  

 

Asked if he would be willing to travel to Cuba, Obama said he would never rule out a course of action that could advance the interests of the U.S. and the cause of freedom for the Cuban people.