As relations between the U.S. and Cuba continue to improve, Senate Republicans have begun to change their minds on the issue. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the first steps towards lifting the travel ban on the island.

On Wednesday the Senate panel approved a decision to ease travel restrictions on Cuba in an 18 to 12 vote. The move comes after the Cuban and American embassies were reopened in the respective countries on Monday.

The Senate committee approved the amendment, submitted by Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), as part of the larger Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act for the 2016 fiscal year. However, that was not the only Cuba amendment passed.

An amendment blocking the enforcement of a ban on the financing of agricultural commodities between the two islands on the private level passed as well as another one repealing a 180-day wait period for ships traveling from Cuba to dock in a U.S. port without a Treasury Department permit. Both amendments passed with a voice vote.

Sen. Moran in June introduced the Cuba Trade Act to end the embargo on the island with Sen. Angus King (I-Maine). The bill "would grant the private sector the freedom to export U.S. goods and services to Cuba while protecting U.S. taxpayers from any risk or exposure associated with such trade."

Sen. Moran praised his colleagues' decision to approve his amendment and saw it as an opportunity to not only improve trade but also connect with the Cuba people.

"We have the opportunity to increase the likelihood that Cuban people have greater liberties and freedom with the ability to connect with them," he told the Associated Press. "I also would say that as Americans we have certain freedoms that we cherish, and Americans can travel around the globe today without exception -- no country is totally prohibited with the exception of Cuba."

However, not all Republicans approve of the new relations with Cuba. The House Appropriations Committee has blocked the Obama administration's original rules from January easing travel restrictions.

Yet, the administration continues to move forward with improving its relationship with Cuba. Aside from opening up embassies, the administration started the process to close Guantanamo Bay, press secretary Josh Earnest said in Wednesday's press briefing.

"Let me confirm for you that the administration is, in fact, in the final stages of drafting a plan to safely and responsibly close the prison at Guantanamo Bay and to present that plan to Congress," he said after being asked about the military base and prison in Cuba.

He further explained there needs to be a plan to remove the remaining detainees out of the military prison. However, he ultimately called the continued operation of the prison "not an effective use of taxpayer resources and it certainly is not consistent with our national security interest" since terror groups use the prison to recruit members.

When the embassy reopening was announced on Monday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez called for the end of the embargo as well as "the return of the illegally occupied territory of Guantanamo."