Gardner-Menendez North Korea Sanctions Legislation Passes Senate

Press Release

With overwhelming bipartisan support, the Gardner-Menendez North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016, passed the Senate unanimously. It now returns to the House and is expected to pass easily.

"Four nuclear tests, three Kims, two violations of United Nations Security Council Resolutions and one attempt by North Korea to transfer nuclear technology to Syria later -- it is clearly time for the United States to start taking the North Korea challenge seriously," said Sen. Menendez, senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "With today's overwhelming bi-partisan vote, we have taken a major step forward in creating a new policy framework that combines effective sanctions and effective military countermeasures that can stop North Korea's nuclear ambitions and bring some sanity back to the political calculus. This new framework leaves no doubt about our determination to neutralize any threat North Korea may present -- with robust, realistic diplomacy toward the clear goal of a denuclearized Korean Peninsula."

"Following North Korea's fourth nuclear test last month and an illicit satellite launch several days ago, it is evident the regime's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities are growing, not slowing. At the same time, North Korea has bolstered its cyberattacks and continues to imprison and horrifically torture more than 200,000 of its own men, women, and children," said Gardner, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy. "This legislation is the first step of building a new policy that will put pressure on Pyongyang to peacefully disarm and cease its violations of international norms. I was proud my colleagues came together to approve the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act, legislation that mandates the United States vigorously pursue sanctions against individuals who contribute to the regime's proliferation activities, cyberattacks, censorship, and human rights abuses. It's far past time to counter the Forgotten Maniac."

The Gardner-Menendez North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 would strengthen and expand sanctions against the regime in North Korea by:

Requiring the President to investigate any person who knowingly imports into North Korea (DPRK) any goods, technology, service, training, or advice regarding weapons of mass destruction and their delivery; knowingly imports luxury goods into North Korea; knowingly engages in serious human rights abuses or censorship by the Government of North Korea; knowingly engages in money laundering, counterfeiting, cash smuggling, or narcotics trafficking that supports the Government of North Korea or any senior official; knowingly sells significant amounts of precious metals, graphite, steel, coal or other materials in support of weapons programs and other proliferation activities; knowingly exports or imports arms to or from North Korea; or knowingly engages in cyber-terrorism or cyber-vandalism.
Requiring a report that identifies severe human rights abusers in North Korea and requiring the President to designate any person listed in the report.
Codifying and making mandatory cybersecurity sanctions on North Korea under Executive Orders 13687 and 13694, until the President submits to Congress a certification that the government of North Korea is no longer engaged in the illicit activities described in such executive orders. The legislation also requires a report on cybersecurity strategy.
Requiring the President to apply sanctions to those deemed to have undertaken prohibited activities, including blocking assets and transactions in property and interests. The legislation also allows for the forfeiture of property.
Requiring a determination by the Treasury Secretary on whether North Korea is a jurisdiction of primary money laundering concern and should be subject to banking-related sanctions.
Barring defense exports to North Korea; banning foreign assistance to any country that provides lethal military equipment to North Korea; and barring persons or entities designated for facilitating North Korea's destructive policies from receiving U.S. government contracts.
Providing a carve-out/waiver for humanitarian organizations engaged in humanitarian assistance, and organizations engaged in the identification and recovery of U.S. military personnel.
Authorizing, for each fiscal year 2017 through 2021, $3,000,000 to carry out radio broadcasting to North Korea, $2,000,000 for humanitarian assistance, and $2,000,000 aimed at making unrestricted and unmonitored electronic mass communications available to the people of North Korea.
Allowing the President to waive any portion of the act, on a case by case basis, if it is in the national security interests of the U.S., or if it is for an important law enforcement purpose.

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