Tester Toughens Sanctions on North Korea

Senator Holds North Korea Accountable, Sends Sanctions Bill to Senate Floor

(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester is holding the nuclear armed nation of North Korea accountable with tougher sanctions on the rogue regime.

Tester’s Otto Warmbier Banking Restrictions Involving North Korea Act will sanction financial institutions that facilitate transactions for the North Korean government or businesses. Tester’s legislation passed out of the Senate Banking Committee unanimously.

“These sanctions will send a strong message to North Korea and anyone who might turn a blind eye to their threats,” said Tester. “Increasing sanctions will increase the likelihood that we can bring North Korea to the negotiating table and stop their dangerous and irresponsible behavior.”

Following President Trump’s trip to South Korea, Tester urged the President to support the bipartisan bill.

“President Trump understands that the North Korean government is a threat to our national security,” Tester said. “I hope the President will support this strong bipartisan move to impose crippling sanctions on North Korea and those who might do business with them.”

Tester, the Ranking Member on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, has also strengthened Malmstrom’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles.

In February, Tester voted to sanction North Korea for its nuclear missile testing. Tester is also calling on President Trump to appoint a Special Envoy to the Korean Peninsula.

Text of Tester’s bill can be found HERE. It now heads to the full Senate for a vote.