Cochran Votes To Strengthen North Korea Sanctions Enforcement

Statement

U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, today voted to strengthen the U.S. enforcement of sanctions to stymie North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

The North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 (HR.757), approved 96-0, is bipartisan legislation to strengthen the ability of the United States to combat national and international security threats posed by the Kim Jong-un regime in North Korea. The Senate measure strengthens a House-passed sanctions bill by providing new tools to challenge North Korean aggression and compelling the President to use them.

"It is clear that we must change our approach to confronting the repressive regime controlling North Korea, which has repeatedly flaunted its disrespect for the world. Its nuclear weapons ambitions and government-sanctioned cyberattacks represent a threat to the security of the United States, our allies and global stability," Cochran said. "This comprehensive sanctions legislation is intended to strengthen our hand in dealing with North Korea."

The North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act would expand and tighten enforcement of sanctions on North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile program, human rights abuses, cyberwarfare, and other destructive activities of the North Korean regime. In addition, the legislation would compel the administration to work with allies to improve enforcement of multilateral sanctions.

The sanctions legislation will now be returned to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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