January 13, 2016

CASTRO VOTES TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND SANCTIONS AGAINST NORTH KOREA

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 757, the North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act:
 
“In the wake of North Korea’s alleged hydrogen bomb test last week, the House of Representatives today sent a strong signal to Pyongyang that the United States will not tolerate such hostile behavior. The North Korean regime knowingly violated U.N. Security Council resolutions and will now face the consequences of that deliberate, aggressive action. Today’s legislation strengthens and expands our existing sanctions against North Korea; increases our investigations into nefarious activities that support North Korea’s weapons programs and human rights abuses; and holds bad actors accountable when they engage with North Korea to launder money, traffic narcotics, or carry out cybersecurity attacks.
 
“I’m glad that the final bill includes a measure I proposed stressing the strategic importance of U.S. trilateral cooperation and military intelligence-sharing with Japan and South Korea. North Korea’s nuclear ambitions are of grave concern to all three of our nations, and our collaboration is crucial as we confront this and future challenges. The United States will uphold its commitment to Japan and South Korea, protect their security in the face of the North Korean threat, and take any steps necessary to preserve stability in the Asia-Pacific. 
 
“Today’s legislation shows our staunch opposition to Pyongyang’s provocative activities and anyone who would align themselves with this dangerous regime.”
 
H.R. 757 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 418 to 2.

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