WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A bill to impose tougher sanctions on North Korea easily cleared the House on Friday and now heads to President Barack Obama's desk.
The House voted 408 to 2 in favor of the North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act, with only libertarian-leaning Reps. Justin Amash, R-Mich., and Thomas Massie, R-Ken., voting against the bill.
The legislation passed the Senate unanimously on Wednesday, although Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has received some criticism for missing the vote.
The bill would impose mandatory sanctions on individuals who contribute to North Korea's nuclear program and proliferation activities, cyberattacks, censorship of its citizens, and human rights abuses
If enacted and signed into law, the legislation would be the first passed by Congress to impose mandatory sanctions on cybercriminals.
'This legislation is the first step toward building a new policy that will put pressure on Pyongyang to peacefully disarm and cease its violations of international norms,' said Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Col., the bill's chief sponsor in the Senate.
Gardner claimed the Obama administration's policy of 'strategic patience' toward North Korea has been a strategic failure and has not stopped the 'Forgotten Maniac,' a reference to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Given the legislation's strong support in both the House and Senate, Obama is expected to sign the bill, with Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes saying the administration and Congress agree on the need for increased sanctions.
Passage of the sanctions on North Korea comes after the impoverished communist nation's recent launch of a long-range rocket as well as its purported test of a hydrogen bomb last month.
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