House passage of tough new sanctions bill praised by Barr, Kinzinger, Lance

The House approved a sanctions bill that would ratchet up political and economic pressure on Russia, North Korea and Iran on Tuesday, garnering support from U.S. Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Andy Barr (R-KY) and Leonard Lance (R-NJ) who cited the governments’ threat to U.S. national security.

“The federal government’s first and primary responsibility is the safety and security of the American people,” Barr said. “These three nations have continually challenged American interests and it is imperative, now more than ever, that we are proactive in our response.”

The Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, H.R. 3364, would target corruption within the Russian economy, those who aid North Korean or Iranian ballistic missile programs, and illicit North Korean trade. Additionally, the president would have to gain congressional approval in order to roll back existing sanctions on Russia under the measure.

“The Russia, Iran and North Korea Sanctions Act will put increased pressure on these belligerent actors who threaten their neighbors and the United States while participating in cyber crimes, illicit missile and nuclear programs, and crimes against humanity,” Barr added.

Additionally. H.R. 3364 would impose new sanctions on Russians who supply weapons to the Assad regime in Syria or carry out cyberattacks for the government. Anyone who does business with Russian intelligence or defense officials would also be targeted.

“The United States continues to face threats to national security by foreign enemies like Iran, North Korea and Russia,” said Kinzinger, a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. “Through provocations, cyber attacks and attempts to meddle in our democracy, these countries have attacked our American values and freedoms.”

The United States, Kinzinger continued, must stand up to regimes that violate human rights, support “murderous dictators,” develop ballistic missile programs and use propaganda to “sew discord and mistrust.”

Lance, meanwhile, agreed that the governments of Russia, North Korea and Iran don’t share American values and are active threats to the country’s national security.

“Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism. North Korea, the most dangerous and isolated place on Earth, has tested long-range missiles, demonstrating a frightening potential to target our west coast,” Lance said. “And Russia has intolerably involved itself in our nation’s democratic electoral process.”

Lance said he was one of the first Republican cosponsors of the Russia Sanctions Review Act after the U.S. intelligence community presented evidence of Russian political operations in the United States and abroad. That measure, which would mandate congressional approval before any sanctions against Russia could be lifted, was included in H.R. 3364.

“Our country needs to act decisively and put these hostile states on notice: by violating international law and threatening the United States sanctions will increase,” Lance said.