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Aug 4, 2008 12:09 pm US/Eastern

House Joins State In Lawsuit Over Travel To Cuba

MIAMI (CBS4) ― Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio has announced that the full House of Representatives will join the state in a federal lawsuit in support of new restrictions on travel agencies that book trips to Cuba.

State Representative David Rivera, who sponsored the measure, admits he opposes travel to Cuba but said the law is about protecting customers not his personal feelings. Under the measure, companies that book trips to Cuba must post a $250-thousand bond with the state, while travel agencies that do not book trips to the island nation must only post a $25-thousand bond.

Travel agencies and charter companies which book trips to Cuba say the measure pre-empts federal law and will put them out of business.

After Governor Charlie Crist signed the legislation into law, several travel agencies challenged it in federal court.

"The travel agencies that filed suit against this law have clearly misrepresented the will and intent of the Florida legislature. As Speaker of the House, I have a duty to protect the integrity and prerogatives of the institution and I intend to do so vigorously," stated Speaker Marco Rubio.

Last month a federal judge temporarily blocked the law until a September hearing.

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