Van Hollen, Toomey Urge Action on North Korea, Passage of BRINK Act

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) released the following joint statement in response to North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile yesterday:

"North Korea's continued provocations, including the launch of yet another ballistic missile, demand immediate action from Congress and this Administration. North Korea's nuclear ambitions threaten the United States and our allies, and their actions yesterday demonstrate we must finally put real teeth in economic sanctions and impose severe penalties on those who help finance the regime. That will be the only way to pressure North Korea to the negotiating table. We urge the full Senate to immediately pass the Otto Warmbier BRINK Act and for the House to follow suit."

The bipartisan Otto Warmbier Banking Restrictions Involving North Korea (BRINK) Act of 2017 was authored by Senators Van Hollen and Toomey and unanimously passed the Senate Banking Committee on November 7, 2017. The legislation would impose mandatory sanctions on the foreign banks and companies that facilitate illicit financial transactions for North Korea. The BRINK Act sends a clear and unequivocal message to these banks and firms: you can do business with North Korea or you can do business with the United States, but if you choose to support the North Korean regime or their business associates, you will be held to account.

###