ACTION ALERT: FREEDOM TO TRAVEL TO CUBA: LET'S GET THESE BILLS PASSED!!!

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 10/16/09:
FREEDOM TO TRAVEL TO CUBA:
LET'S GET THESE BILLS PASSED!!!

Here's a status report on the "Freedom to Travel to Cuba" bills which
are currently being considered in the Congress:

As of 10/16/09, the House bill, HR874, sponsored by Rep William
Delahunt (D-MA), has 180 co- sponsors in the House of Representatives.

The magic number to guarantee the bill's passage is 218.   Almost all
of the New York State delegation has already co-sponsored the bill.
In New Jersey, only Rep Donald Payne has signed on so far.

S428, sponsored by Sen Byron Dorgan (D-ND), has 32 co-sponsors in the
Senate; 60 votes will guarantee the bill's success.  As of today, none
of the Senators from New York or New Jersey has co-sponsored S428.

After the New York Philharmonic had to postpone its much-anticipated
concert in Cuba — because the US Treasury Department would not give
permission for the orchestra's patrons to travel —  Sen Chuck Schumer
(D-NY) criticized the travel restrictions and indicated that he would
sign on to S428; but so far he has not done so. 

PLEASE CALL SENATORS SCHUMER AND GILLIBRAND — AND SENATOR LAUTENBERG FROM NJ — and urge them to co-sponsor S428 and support an end to the ban on travel to
Cuba.

To reach your representatives and senators, call the Congressional switchboard: 202/225-3121.

There are so many reasons to end the restrictions on travel to Cuba, and this is our best chance to get it done.  Let's get our elected reps on board and get these bills passed this year!! !