releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=841A5444-3429-4027-A50C-0418C289A7FA
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=841A5444-3429-4027-A50C-0418C289A7FA | With Heitkamp Support, Bill to Impose Sanctions on North Korea Sanctions Advances in Senate | 2017-11-07 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today voted in favor of the Banking Restrictions Involving North Korea (BRINK) Act, which passed the U.S. Senate Banking Committee today with an amendment written by Heitkamp. Heitkamp’s amendment would require the administration to provide an assessment of North Korea’s use of financial institutions to promote its acquisition of military expertise, equipment, and technology. This provision would improve understanding of North Korea’s relationships with nations like Iran, which help North Korea commit financial crimes and enable its illegal pursuit of nuclear weapon and ballistic missile technology. “North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs threaten the safety of American families, as well as our allies and interests in the region,” Heitkamp said. “Congress must take action to counter the threat, and secondary sanctions are another important way to cut off the financial support that has allowed North Korea to advance its dangerous and illegal programs. My amendment would help us better understand how North Korea benefits from bad actor nations like Iran to better inform a tough, smart national security strategy to keep our nation safe. North Korea poses the most urgent national security threat and we must hold it accountable through military, diplomatic, and economic strategies to protect our country, as I’ve long called for.” The BRINK Act imposes secondary sanctions on financial entities that do business with North Korea and those who evade sanctions to assist North Korea; strengthens existing sanctions by making mandatory sanctions on entities providing North Korea with coal or iron, transferring vessels to North Korea, or purchasing seafood from North Korea; enhances oversight of administration efforts to enforce sanctions; and, requires a congressional review to lift sanctions on North Korea. Heitkamp has long pushed for strong, smart national security policies that keep North Dakota families safe. In September, she secured passage of an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act to reassure our allies of America’s steadfast commitment to protecting against the North Korea nuclear threat. In July, she helped to secure passage of a bipartisan sanctions bill to hold North Korea, Russia, and Iran accountable. Those sanctions were signed in to law, but North Korea’s heated rhetoric and continued missile and weapons tests highlight the need to ramp up economic pressure on Kim Jong Un’s regime. Heitkamp has also pressed the administration to fill key positions that will aid in the diplomatic and military components of a comprehensive strategy to deal with North Korea. In a recent letter, she urged the president to appoint a Special Envoy to the Korean Peninsula, and to fill key positions such as Ambassador to South Korea and top Asia-related positions at the Defense and State Departments. Last year, Heitkamp joined in a congressional fact-finding trip to see missile defense capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region up close. She supports bipartisan legislation to enhance defenses against North Korean ballistic missiles. Heitkamp focused the September episode of her podcast, “The Hotdish,” on the North Korea threat. The podcast is available on iTunes and SoundCloud, as well as on Heitkamp’s Senate website. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |