That version lifted sanctions on food and medicine outright and received a large bipartisan vote in the Senate. A similar bill also was initially approved by wide margins in the House. But House Republican leaders succeeded in weakening the final bill at the behest of two Republican Cuban-American lawmakers from Florida. Under the compromise in Congress, Cuba would be barred from receiving U.S. government credit and private financing to buy food from U.S. farmers. Instead, Cuba, a considerable credit risk, must either persuade a foreign bank to lend it money or pay cash.
Financing is a big issue.
The country doesn't have much money today. Cuba withdrew from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in the 1960s and so is barred from any financing from them. And while Cuba now imports a number of goods from France, Canada, China, Mexico, Argentina and other countries, the sales are heavily subsidized.