Administration Submits North Korea Strategy to Congress, as Required by Donnelly Provision

Washington, D.C. – As part of his efforts on the Senate Armed Services Committee to protect Hoosier families and our country, U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly successfully included a provision in last year’s national defense bill requiring that the Administration submit to Congress its strategy to address the threats posed by North Korea’s nuclear missile program. Recently, the Administration transmitted its strategy to Congress. 

Donnelly said, “I am pleased that the Administration has sent its strategy to Congress, as required by my provision in last year’s national defense bill. I have read the strategy and continue to believe that as the Administration prepares for upcoming talks with North Korea we need to leverage all available tools – economic, diplomatic, and military – in order to give us the best chance for achieving a successful, peaceful outcome that makes our country and Hoosier families safer.” 

Donnelly has consistently called for increased sanctions to counter North Korea’s weapons programs and crack down on those enabling the regime. He welcomed the Administration’s new sanctions on North Korea in February and helped shape increased sanctions on North Korea, Russia, and Iran, which the Senate passed and President Trump signed into law in 2017. He also lauded action in November 2017 by the president to re-designate North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. 

Through his role on the Senate Armed Services Committee and as Ranking Member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Donnelly has effectively worked on measures to strengthen our national security. Last fall, the Banking Committee unanimously supported the Banking Restrictions Involving North Korea (BRINK) Act, which included a Donnelly amendment that would help ensure the Department of Treasury has the tools and resources it needs to effectively enforce US sanctions globally. The BRINK Act is pending consideration by the full Senate.