Jim Banks: “Last week, as we celebrated our Nation's birthday, news broke that North Korea successfully launched its first…”

“Last week, as we celebrated our Nation's birthday, news broke that North Korea successfully launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile. The missile's estimated range would put Alaska within reach. Like all Americans, I am deeply concerned by this development. North Korea's possession of an estimated 20 nuclear warheads and chemical and biological weapons makes it an urgent and imminent threat to the United States. While there are no easy options, our country must do more to deter the Kim regime. I strongly support building our missile defense programs, which is a priority in this year's National Defense Authorization Act, which the House is considering this week. I also support increasing sanctions against China and Chinese companies that support the Kim regime. At this critical time, all options, including military action, must be on the table. The threat of a nuclear-armed North Korea is too serious to simply maintain the status quo. ____________________”