House votes to ease travel to Cuba

By Ted Barrett
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to cut off funds to enforce travel restrictions that prevent most U.S. citizens from going to Cuba.

The amendment, part of a spending bill for several government agencies including the Treasury Department, passed the Republican-controlled House, 240-186.

A similar measure passed last year but was not taken up in the Senate.

The House also rejected an amendment that would have kept the travel restrictions in place until Cuban President Fidel Castro releases political prisoners in his country and takes other similar steps.

The vote reflects a changing view in the House toward the island nation, which has survived more than 40 years under an economic embargo from the United States.

Last year, over staunch opposition from anti-Castro lawmakers, Republicans joined Democrats to pass a bill that would allow agricultural and medicine sales to Cuba.

It is uncertain whether the Senate will pass a similar measure.