U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, released the following statement in response to North Korea’s test of a ballistic missile Tuesday.
Donnelly said, “North Korea’s dangerous actions must be met with a clear, comprehensive strategy from the United States. We must show the American people, our servicemembers in the region, and our allies around the world that we are serious about confronting the threat from the Kim regime. My amendment, included in the national defense bill, requires the Administration to bring its strategy to Congress within 90 days. I encourage President Trump to sign the bill immediately.”
Through the Senate Armed Services and Banking Committees, Donnelly has worked effectively on efforts to counter North Korea. His provision to require a comprehensive strategy from the Administration and the Department of Defense to confront the threat posed by North Korea passed as part of the national defense bill and is expected to be signed into law soon. Donnelly’s measure requires the President to bring to Congress, within 90 days of enactment, a North Korean strategy.
Earlier this month, the Banking Committee unanimously supported the Banking Restrictions Involving North Korea (BRINK) Act, which included a Donnelly amendment that would help ensure the Department of Treasury has the tools and resources it needs to effectively enforce US sanctions globally. The BRINK Act will now advance for consideration by the full Senate.
Donnelly has called for increased sanctions to counter North Korea’s weapons program and crack down on those enabling the rogue regime. Last week, Donnelly welcomed the Administration’s announcement that it imposed additional sanctions against North Korea and its backers. As Ranking Member of the Banking Committee’s National Security and International Trade and Finance Subcommittee, Donnelly co-led a hearing with Subcommittee Chairman Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) to assess U.S. and international sanctions against North Korea and China in relation to North Korea’s nuclear missile program, and to push the Administration on its options to expand sanctions. And, Donnelly and Sasse continued their calls for increased sanctions on both North Korea and China, designed to crack down on North Korea’s weapons program.
Earlier this year, Donnelly helped shape increased sanctions on North Korea, Russia, and Iran, which the Senate passed and President Trump signed into law. He alsolauded recent action by the president to re-designate North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism.
