MIAMI (AP) - U.S. Rep. David Rivera wants to hold foreign companies that drill for oil off the coast of Cuba liable for any oil spills that reach U.S. shores.

Rivera told a U.S. House transportation subcommittee Monday his bill would triple the liabilities cap for spills that originate from a state sponsor of terrorism, such as Cuba.

Others are expected to speak Monday at the satellite congressional sub-committee hearing in Sunny Isles, north of Miami Beach. They include U.S. Rep Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and fellow Cuban-American U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart.

Ros-Lehtinen wants to deny U.S. visas to anyone helping the Cuban government advance its oil drilling plans.

Florida International University Professor John Proni says spills could reach U.S. coastal waters, damaging the ecology and economy.

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