Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2061, the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017. I commend Chairman Emeritus Ros- Lehtinen for leading this reauthorization effort, and Chairman Royce and my colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee for their support of this legislation. The horrific human rights abuses committed by Kim Jong-un are an integral part of his power structure. Countering these unspeakable crimes, however we can, is both a moral imperative and a sound strategy. As amended, H.R. 2061 includes my Distribution and Promotion of Rights and Knowledge Act, which will improve U.S. efforts to broadcast outside information into North Korea, weakening Kim Jong-un's regime by eroding his stranglehold on information. It will provide light to the North Koreans; not just light to read by, but shine light on those innate basic beliefs of liberty and freedom. Specifically, this language updates the means in which information can be disseminated, helping to find new ways to end the Kim regime's monopoly on information. The two bills are natural partners and, together, they can meaningfully advance human rights and free flow of information in North Korea. Mr. Speaker, I again thank the chairman for yielding.”