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President Barack Obama announced Wednesday that the US and Cuba have, in a historic agreement, formalized plans to reopen embassies in the two countries capitals, and begin the process of reopening diplomatic relations. 

The announcement followed rumors on Tuesday that the countries had taken the latest step in re-establishing formal relations for the first time in more than half a century, but it also comes at a time when loosening restrictions are meeting strong opposition in Congress, which ultimately controls the casual travel ban still imposed for American tourists. 

For the adventurous, Wednesdays news was a positive sign that with normalized diplomatic relations will also come normalized travel regulations. Officially, tourist trips are still prohibited, but since January, citizens no longer need any special licenses to plan a trip — just certification that the visit fits under one of the 12 categories OKd by the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control. That is a departure from the prior approval model Americans had to rely on to travel to Cuba previously. 

As for the 12 categories a trip to Cuba has to fall under, they are as follows:

• Family visits
• Official business of the US government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
• Journalistic activity
• Professional research and meetings
• Educational activities
• Religious activities
• Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
• Support for the Cuban people
• Humanitarian projects
• Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
• Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials
• Certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines. 

The tourist travel ban can only be lifted by Congress, but Obama said Wednesday that he would talk to lawmakers to move closer to rolling back the full economic embargo still imposed on Cuba, NBC News reported. 

There are Americans who want to travel to Cuba and American business who want to invest in Cuba, Obama said on Wednesday. Ive called on Congress to take steps to lift the embargo that prevents Americans from traveling or doing business in Cuba. 

Obama faces tough opposition in a divided Congress, where lawmakers have introduced legislation both in support and opposition of relaxing restrictions. Last month, the House voted to leave a provision in a transportation funding bill that blocks the administrations rules easing travel, which the White House said it would veto pending passage in the Senate.

USA Today reports that at least three other bills have been introduced in both houses of Congress that aim to prohibit strict regulations on travel to Cuba — though none have made much progress.

Nonetheless, Obama seemed hopeful that the march of history would not be impeded by political infighting in Washington, especially when nearly 70 percent of Americans are in favor of ending the trade embargo, according to a survey by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs released Wednesday.

Obama asked, Why should Washington stand in the way of our own people? The progress we make today is another demonstration we dont have to be imprisoned by the past. 

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