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US bill set to ease Cuba travel US bill set to ease Cuba travel
(about 6 hours later)
The US House of Representatives is due to vote on a bill that would lead to the easing of restrictions on Cuban-Americans wanting to travel to Cuba.The US House of Representatives is due to vote on a bill that would lead to the easing of restrictions on Cuban-Americans wanting to travel to Cuba.
The provisions are part of a $410bn (£283bn) bill before the House to fund federal government departments until September, the end of the fiscal year.The provisions are part of a $410bn (£283bn) bill before the House to fund federal government departments until September, the end of the fiscal year.
Republicans say the bill is excessive but it is expected to pass, with the Senate due to vote next week.Republicans say the bill is excessive but it is expected to pass, with the Senate due to vote next week.
On Thursday, President Barack Obama is to unveil his first full budget.On Thursday, President Barack Obama is to unveil his first full budget.
The "omnibus" spending package being considered by the House has been described by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as "last year's unfinished business".The "omnibus" spending package being considered by the House has been described by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as "last year's unfinished business".
It combines nine appropriations bills that were held up in 2008 amid disagreements along party lines over its scale and scope.It combines nine appropriations bills that were held up in 2008 amid disagreements along party lines over its scale and scope.
Former President George W Bush had threatened to use his veto to block the bill, which funds the annual operating budgets of every Cabinet department except Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans' Affairs.Former President George W Bush had threatened to use his veto to block the bill, which funds the annual operating budgets of every Cabinet department except Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans' Affairs.
Most of the departments have been funded by a stopgap measure that expires on 6 March.Most of the departments have been funded by a stopgap measure that expires on 6 March.
The bill contains provisions that would prevent the federal government from spending any of its budget to enforce rules brought in under President Bush in 2004 that restrict Cuban-Americans to visiting Cuba once every three years.The bill contains provisions that would prevent the federal government from spending any of its budget to enforce rules brought in under President Bush in 2004 that restrict Cuban-Americans to visiting Cuba once every three years.
EmbargoEmbargo
President Obama has signalled that he will sign the legislation, which also still has to pass the Senate.President Obama has signalled that he will sign the legislation, which also still has to pass the Senate.
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It would allow Cuban-Americans to visit Cuba once a year and spend $170 a day on the island, instead of the current daily limit of $50.It would allow Cuban-Americans to visit Cuba once a year and spend $170 a day on the island, instead of the current daily limit of $50.
It would also create a general travel licence for Americans who sell food and medical supplies to Cuba and allow the Cuban authorities to pay for US products once they arrive rather than pay up front before they are sent.It would also create a general travel licence for Americans who sell food and medical supplies to Cuba and allow the Cuban authorities to pay for US products once they arrive rather than pay up front before they are sent.
These measures would represent a first move in broader efforts to ease the US trade embargo and end travel restrictions for all Americans.These measures would represent a first move in broader efforts to ease the US trade embargo and end travel restrictions for all Americans.
The spending package contains thousands of specific projects for spending, known as earmarks, and is set to increase funding by $32bn, a rise of about 8%.The spending package contains thousands of specific projects for spending, known as earmarks, and is set to increase funding by $32bn, a rise of about 8%.
The $410bn is on top of the $787bn stimulus bill. Republican leaders say the omnibus bill directs much of the money to the same agencies that will receive funds under the stimulus.The $410bn is on top of the $787bn stimulus bill. Republican leaders say the omnibus bill directs much of the money to the same agencies that will receive funds under the stimulus.
On Thursday, attention turns to President Obama 's first budget.On Thursday, attention turns to President Obama 's first budget.
He has said he will halve the budget deficit, currently some $1 trillion, by 2013 and that officials are going "line by line" through the federal budget "to eliminate wasteful and ineffective" schemes.He has said he will halve the budget deficit, currently some $1 trillion, by 2013 and that officials are going "line by line" through the federal budget "to eliminate wasteful and ineffective" schemes.