U.S. Representative McSally this week supported Congressional action to ramp up pressure on Iran and North Korea. In a show of bipartisanship, the House overwhelmingly passed measures to hold Iran and North Korea accountable for their aggression and support of terrorism by imposing financial and secondary sanctions on the regimes and their proxies to target ballistic missile development and illicit activity. One measure, the Otto Warmbier North Korea Nuclear Sanctions Act, includes the toughest sanctions Congress has ever levied on North Korea and is named in recognition of Otto Warmbier, the American student who was senselessly tortured and brutalized under Kim Jong-Un's dictatorship to the point of death.
"Iran and North Korea--brutal regimes that show complete disregard for the value of human life-- have made it abundantly clear that they are focused on developing nuclear weapons to threaten the safety of the United States and our allies, including South Korea, Japan, and Israel. These bills, passed by the House this week with my support, will increase economic pressure and tie the hands of their enablers-- aiming to cut off their funding sources. Congress and the President must work together in a bipartisan fashion to protect the United States and our allies. This is an important first step," said Rep. McSally.
The House passed the following bills with overwhelming bipartisan support:
The Otto Warmbier North Korea Nuclear Sanctions Act--imposes the toughest sanctions Congress has ever imposed on North Korea to cut off its ability to finance its weapons programs. This bill prevents financial institutions from knowingly facilitating transactions or providing financial services to individuals or entities that transact with persons in North Korea.
The Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act--requires a comprehensive investigation to identify and sanction the companies, banks, and individuals involved in Iran's regime program and penalizes those who violate international restrictions and trade weapons with Iran.
Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act--sanctions regimes, like Syria, that provide weapons to Hezbollah, and restricts Hezbollah's ability to fundraise and recruit.
Sanctioning Hezbollah's Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act--sanctions Hezbollah commanders who allow the use of human shields and sanctions any institution or individual who provides material support to human rights abuse.
House Resolution 359--urges the European Union to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and apply pressure on its members.