Countering Adversarial Nations Through
Sanctions Act
Regimes: Russia, North Korea, & Iran
Washington D.C. ____Tuesday July 25th, House of Representative
Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) voted today for HR Bill 3364, the Countering
Adversarial Nations Through Sanctions Act. The Bill includes a package of
comprehensive sanctions against North Korea, Russia, and Iran – three regimes
that continue to threaten their neighbors and undermine U.S. national security.
The HR Bill 3364 passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.
The first provision of HR Bill 3364 targets those involved in the Iranian
regime’s ballistic missile program, its efforts to
destabilize the region and threaten Israel, and its ongoing human rights
abuses. It imposes sanctions on any individual who contributes materially to
Iran’s ballistic missile program, weapons of mass destruction programs, or
participates in the sale or transfer of military equipment to Iran. It also
calls for increased sanctions on anyone who is identified to be responsible for
torture and other violations of internationally recognized human rights.
The second provision of HR 3364 counteracts Russian aggression by strengthening
sanctions in response to cyber-attacks and interference in Ukraine, empowers Congress to review any sanctions
relief, and works to strengthen international cooperation in opposing Russian
aggression.
Specifically, the legislation provides for a mandated Congressional review if sanctions are relaxed, suspended, or terminated. It targets corruption
and key sectors of the Russian economy, including arms sales and the export of
oil and gas. Lastly, it also fixes a provision in a previous Senate bill that
could have hurt the US economy while benefitting Russian energy oligarchs.
The third provision of HR 3364 amends the North Korea Sanctions and Policy
Enhancement Act of 2016 to enhance the President’s authority to impose
sanctions on those who violate U.N. Security Council resolutions regarding
North Korea. It expands sanctions to further deter North Korea’s nuclear weapons programs by cutting off Kim Jung Un’s
access to cash. Additionally, the bill cracks down on North Korea’s shipping
and use of international ports and targets those who employ North Korean slave
labor.
U.S. Congressman Paul
Cook said, “Iran, North Korea, and Russia continue to pose a serious threat to
U.S. national security. These additional sanctions will give us additional
tools to combat their continued aggression and ensure their illicit activities
don’t go unchecked.”