Although a congressional committee voted Wednesday to repeal the law that prohibits American tourists from traveling to the  island, the real fight to change the decades-old ban – which will take place in the full House of Representatives later this month – is likely to be a real humdinger.

HR4645, titled the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act, was passed by the House Agriculture Committee in a 25 to 20 vote.

In addition to lifting the travel ban and opening a long sought-after market to the U.S. airline industry, the legislation is designed to let U.S. food producers sell directly to Cuba. (That’s why it went through the Agriculture Committee.)

Ten years ago Congress exempted food sales from the trade embargo. But Cuban importers must pay up front, in cash, and conduct the transaction through a third-country bank.

The new law would permit Havana to deal directly with American banks, which would lower costs for the Cubans and make sales easier for the Americans.

And that’s what is likely to create some post-July 4 fireworks.

Passionate arguments for and against On one side of the aisle you’ll hear arguments from farm, travel and business groups keenly eyeing the Cuban market.

On the other side Cuban American legislators and others linked to the pro-embargo lobby will oppose any easing of the embargo.

Neither side will be short of passion.

Influential groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce think HR4645 would generate income for American industries and ports at a time when the economy could use the help.

Chamber leaders say that the legislation is all about "advocating for free enterprise."

They point to a recent Texas A&M University study which suggests that the embargo may be costing the American economy more than $1 billion a year in lost commerce and jobs.

The report, released in March 2010, argues that an open trade policy with Cuba would generate $365 million in direct sales and create 6,000 new jobs inside the U.S.