November 22, 2017
Tuesday U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly released the following statement after the Trump Administration announced additional sanctions against North Korea and its backers. The U.S. Department of Treasury said it sanctioned 13 entities, 20 shipping companies and vessels, and one individual in an effort to maximize economic pressure and level sanctions against those enabling the North Korean regime’s funding of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Donnelly said, “I have long called for stronger action to counter North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal, including additional sanctions. Those enabling North Korea’s dangerous regime must be held accountable. I welcome today’s announcement, and I hope the Senate will act soon to pass bipartisan legislation I helped craft that would further increase sanctions on North Korea and its backers.”
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. 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. Following the Administration’s latest sanctions imposed against North Korea in September, Donnelly welcomed the additional action, which was in line with the Senator’s push.
Earlier this year, Donnelly helped shape increased sanctions on North Korea, Russia, and Iran, which the Senate passed and President Trump signed into law.