Washington, D.C. - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement calling on the Senate to pass a bipartisan bill to strengthen and expand sanctions against the regime in North Korea and those who assist it. The bill, sponsored by Senators Cory Gardner and Bob Menendez, was approved recently by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It includes several measures from a bipartisan bill cosponsored by Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet.

"North Korea's continued provocations demonstrate the need for tough new sanctions on this reckless regime. Its recent nuclear weapons test, followed by a missile launch, demonstrate a consistent disregard for international law. The Senate should quickly pass this bipartisan bill to send a message that this intransigence will not be tolerated."

The bipartisan North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 will expand and tighten enforcement of sanctions for North Korea's nuclear, and ballistic missile development, illicit cyber activities, and other destabilizing actions of the regime.