North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. I thank Chairman Ed Royce for his leadership on freedom and liberty.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2016.

Recently, we have seen overwhelming evidence that the monarchy in North Korea, led by an unstable dictator, has become increasingly hostile, threatening its neighbors, which are American allies.

Sadly, just last week, it successfully tested a long-range rocket which is capable of reaching California. This recent missile test comes after years of ignoring nonproliferation agreements and conducting nuclear tests without facing any meaningful consequences.

As America continues to fight the global war on terrorism, we should not allow an unpredictable rogue leader to continue unchecked. We must change course to a strategy of peace through strength to protect American families.

In 2003, I was one of the few Members of Congress to visit Pyongyang, North Korea, along with Ranking Member Eliot Engel and Chairman Jeff Miller. I saw firsthand the struggle and oppression its citizens have endured under Communist totalitarian rule. Compared to the dynamic capital of South Korea, North Korea is the ultimate example of another socialist failure.

The North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act strengthens our Nation's ability to sanction the agents, government, and financial institutions that enable North Korea's dangerous activities.

I am grateful to Chairman Ed Royce for introducing the North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act, unanimously supported in the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support, which puts pressure on the regime by restricting them from selling weapons of mass destruction, importing and exporting conventional weapons, and engaging in further cyberattacks. It also directs the State Department to hold the administration accountable by creating a strategy to improve enforcement of existing sanctions.

This legislation is an important first step to achieving peace through strength in the region. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Armed Services Committee to promote positive change and stability in Northeast Asia so that all Koreans can have a bright future.

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