(July 29) Support for expanded trade with Cuba continues to grow.

The House of Representatives voted to lift restrictions on travel and trade with Cuba on July 24.

The amendments were attached to an appropriations bill designed to keep the government running until 2003. The bill must still be taken up by the Senate. Despite a hard line on Cuba from the Bush administration, the Senate also is expected to lift restrictions on travel and food sales.

The administration already has threatened to veto any relaxation of the embargo, but some press accounts say the amendment will be stripped from the final bill through the efforts of House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas.

However, it appears more and more members of both parties favor expanded trade with Cuba, despite administration qualms over possible terrorist threats from the country.

The first shipment of U.S. apples since 1960 arrived in Cuba July 11. Under the Trade Sanction Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000, horticultural product sales became possible on a cash-only basis