The House of Representatives today approved legislation introduced by Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) to impose the most far-reaching sanctions ever directed at North Korea. H.R. 3898, the Otto Warmbier North Korea Nuclear Sanctions Act was passed in the House with overwhelming bipartisan support, and was recently passed by the Financial Services Committee with a unanimous vote of 56-0.
“North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, illicit missile tests, and other aggressive actions represent a threat to the national security of the United States and the world,” said Congressman Barr. “The legislation passed by the House today would hold North Korea accountable by imposing the most far-reaching sanctions ever directed at Pyongyang, putting tremendous economic pressure on the Kim Jong-Un regime and its foreign enablers. In doing so, we can deny North Korea the financing it needs to fund its nuclear and missile programs.”
“Clearly, the status quo is not working to change North Korea’s hostile behavior. I appreciate the bipartisan support for my bill to change course and to give tougher sanctions on North Korea a chance to confront the Kim regime’s belligerence.”
The legislation is named in honor of Otto Warmbier, an American student who died after being returned to the United States in a coma after more than a year of being held by the North Korean regime.