Bob Menendez and the embargo on Cuba

Yesterday, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., spoke about the realities of life in Cuba and provisions — which are part of an unrelated $410 billion spending bill — that would dramatically ease restrictions on travel and trade with Cuba.



According to Menendez, the provisions were practically hidden in the bill (the rest of which is mostly unrelated to foreign policy), not allowing for debate of an important issue before significantly altering U.S.-Cuba policy.

Also, from The Washington Post:

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) has placed a "hold" that blocks votes on confirming Harvard University physicist John Holdren, who is in line to lead the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Oregon State University marine biologist Jane Lubchenco, Obama's nominee to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. According to sources who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the matter, Menendez is using the holds as leverage to get Senate leaders' attention for a matter related to Cuba rather than questioning the nominees' credentials.

(Click here for the rest of the article)

So the question is: Regardless of your feelings about U.S.-Cuba policy (the embargo, travel restrictions, etc.) — is this the way to go about changing the way we deal with Cuba? Does it bother you at all that dramatic change would come on such a divisive issue without allowing much, if any, time for legislators and the public to discuss the specifics of these provisions?