In 2000, Congress created an exemption that, in spite of the embargo, allows for the sale of agricultural goods to Cuba. So far as I can tell, only seven governors have visited Cuba since 1999: Heineman, George Ryan of Illinois, Jesse Ventura of Minnesota, John Baldacci of Maine, Kathleen Blanco of Louisiana, John Hoeven of North Dakota and Butch Otter of Idaho. Most of these trips stirred at least some controversy.
However, close to 40 states have sent trade missions to Cuba, with legislators and agriculture officials often participating. In conservative Nebraska, Heineman was sure enough that the trips would be a political winner that they were mentioned in his first T.V. ad of his 2006 reelection campaign.
