U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) Thursday released the following statement after the House passed several bills strengthening sanctions to counter the growing threats posed by Iran and North Korea:
“Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism and continues to test ballistic missiles in violation of international law. North Korea is a menace that regularly threatens to destroy the United States and our allies with nuclear weapons.
“We are taking action to counter the growing threat these rogue regimes pose with robust and wide-ranging sanctions. The bills we passed this week will crack down on Iran’s ballistic weapons program, go after Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists, and punish banks that do business with North Korea.
“Congress and President Trump will continue working together to stand strong against our nation’s adversaries and protect the safety and security of the American people.”
BACKGROUND
The House this week passed three bills to strengthen sanctions over Iran’s illicit missile development program and support for terrorism, as well as a resolution urging the European Union to designate Hezbollah as terrorist organization.
- H.R. 1698, the Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act, would impose sanctions on Iranian agencies and foreign entities involved with the regime’s ballistic missile program.
- H.R. 3342, the Sanctioning Hezbollah’s Illicit Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act, would impose sanctions on the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah over its use of civilians as human shields.
- H.R. 3329, the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act, would strengthen the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015 by imposing sanctions on those who support the terrorist group’s funding, recruiting, and arming efforts.
- H.Res. 359 would urge the European Union to designate Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization and increase pressure on it and its members.
The House also passed H.R. 3898, the Otto Warmbier North Korea Nuclear Sanctions Act, which would sanction foreign banks that do business with any entity that helps fund the Kim Jong-un regime’s dangerous activities, including its nuclear and missile programs. The bill, named for the American student tortured to death by the North Korean regime, would impose the strongest sanctions ever on the regime and its financial supporters.
Earlier this year, Congress passed and President Trump signed into law a bill to strengthen sanctions on Iran, North Korea, and Russia.
Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
