Kansas congressman seeks to expand trade with Cuba

TOPEKA, Kan.

Kansas Congressman Jerry Moran is co-sponsoring legislation he says would open markets for U.S. farmers and ranchers in Cuba.

Moran, a Republican, said Tuesday he introduced the measure with Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture.

The bill would change the way Cubans pay for commodities bought from U.S. farmers and ranchers. The payments must now be made through foreign banks, which Moran says raises the price of U.S. goods.

The legislation would also let U.S. farmers and ranchers travel to Cuba to market their products.