Senate expected to vote to loosen Cuba travel embargo

WASHINGTON -- Supporters of the United States embargo of Cuba are bracing for a possible defeat when the Senate votes on legislation that would make it easier for Americans to travel to the communist island.

A vote for change, following a similar House vote in July, would put one of the mainstays of the decades-old American embargo in jeopardy and provide a huge victory for those who want to end all sanctions against the island.

Such a victory might be purely symbolic if President George W. Bush follows through with a threat to veto any legislation that weakens sanctions before Cuban President Fidel Castro allows democratic reforms.

But some embargo supporters wonder whether Bush can afford to issue a veto that would anger farmers and others eager to sell products to Cuba.

All of this doubt comes just as embargo opponents and supporters held dueling news conferences and released opposing polls Tuesday in the fight over the travel ban.

Embargo opponents are optimistic. The travel ban, they argue, restricts their freedom and needs to go.

Embargo supporters, on the other hand, are on the defensive. They admit organizing Tuesday's events in reaction to their opponents' conference.

Legislation prohibiting the Treasury Department from enforcing travel restrictions against Americans who want to go to Cuba passed the House.

The measure also lifts limits on the amount of money individuals can send to people in Cuba and allows private financing of food sales to the island. The Senate may take up the same bill this month or next.