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Congressman Bob Goodlatte

Congressman Bob Goodlatte’s Weekly Column: August 4, 2017
Taking a Stand through Tougher Sanctions
By Congressman Bob Goodlatte
 
Washington, DC (August 4, 2017) -

The United States sent a strong message this week. The security of our country, and our allies around the globe, is of critical importance. That is why Congress took a stand against several countries that continuously threaten this security with aggressive actions. By signing into law tougher sanctions on North Korea, Russia, and Iran, the United States has sent a clear response that their bad behavior will not stand.

Why sanction these countries? Open the newspaper almost any given day and you’ll see why. Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, Russia has actively undermined our national security for many years. I have serious concerns about Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine and our NATO allies in Eastern Europe as well as in Syria. Putin’s government has also attempted to interfere in United States presidential elections and undermine core democratic principles. Not only has the brutal Kim regime in North Korea committed a laundry list of human rights offenses, it is actively working to build a nuclear weapons arsenal capable of attacking their neighbors and potentially the United States. Since February, North Korea has tested 18 missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles potentially capable of reaching the United States. Plus, Iran continues to inject instability in the Middle East and fund terrorist activity.

North Korea, Russia, and Iran must be held accountable for their actions against the United States and the global community. Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act by a vote of 419-3. Just a few days later, the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 98-2, sending this strongly bipartisan measure to the President’s desk. Despite initial speculation as to whether President Trump would support the bill, I am pleased that he signed it into law.

Tougher sanctions give the United States greater political and economic leverage against these countries. This new law squeezes the Kim regime’s access to cash, sanctions businesses that employ North Korean slave labor, and cracks down on illicit trade coming through North Korea’s shipping industry and international ports. It also codifies existing sanctions and expands sanctions against Russia’s government and those involved in corruption, cyberattacks, arms transfers to Syria’s Assad regime, and human rights abuses. Additionally, the law requires congressional approval as a condition to scale back sanctions on Russia in the future. Those who aid Iran’s ballistic missile program will also face sanctions.  

By enacting sweeping sanctions, we are continuing our efforts to help keep America safe from global threats. Oppressive, hostile regimes must be held accountable and put on notice that the United States will not tolerate actions that undermine the security of the American people and our allies.
 
 
 

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