Hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee - Opening Statement of Sen. Crapo, Executive Session to Consider s. 1591, Banking Restrictions Involving North Korea Act

Hearing

"Today, we will mark up and vote on S.1951, the "Banking Restrictions Involving North Korea Act,' or "BRINK Act,' together with a Crapo-Brown-Toomey-Van Hollen substitute amendment and its amendments.

"Thank you, Senator Brown, for working diligently with me and my staff to get to this important markup today.

"Senators Sasse and Donnelly deserve thanks for holding a timely and useful subcommittee hearing on secondary sanctions this summer.

"That hearing prepared the Committee to consider S.1951, introduced by Senators Van Hollen and Toomey.

"Senators Toomey and Van Hollen deserve extra recognition for their hard work and leadership to strengthen the sanctions regime targeting North Korea.

"I have enjoyed working with them and Senator Brown to arrive at the substitute amendment being offered this morning, which further restricts the Kim regime's ability to sustain its advancing nuclear weapons capability and continued missile testing.

"The substitute amendment also includes important human trafficking provisions crafted by Senators Brown, Warren and Rubio.

"Although not members of this Committee, I must thank Senators Gardner and Markey for all of their contributions against North Korean provocations.

"They have long been strong advocates of increasing pressure on the Kim regime through sanctions, and currently have a measure pending before this Committee.

"Senator Brown."

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