Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend from New York, the distinguished ranking member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. I rise today in support of the North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2016. I want to thank the chairman and ranking member for their leadership in bringing this legislation before us. I especially appreciate the inclusion of two of my amendments, one to provide for the reunification of Korean families separated by the 38th parallel, and another to ensure that U.S. policy toward North Korea is informed by the recommendations made in the landmark Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea conducted by the United Nations. Amidst the tense geopolitical standoffs and irresponsible actions of the North Korean regime, we must always remember the human cost of this enduring conflict. I believe this bill, through these amendments and important exceptions to sanctions for humanitarian relief organizations, does just that. This is timely, if not overdue, legislation. North Korea is a reckless, paranoid state devoid of virtually all aspects of human autonomy, now armed with a nuclear umbrella. That makes the Korean peninsula one of the most dangerous flash points on the globe. There have been recent developments in North Korea that are profoundly troubling and deserve an immediate response from this Congress.…”