WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) — Congress is sending President Barack Obama legislation that aims to punish North Korea for pushing ahead with its nuclear weapons program.
In this July 27, 2013, file photo, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waves to spectators and participants of a mass military parade celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice in Pyongyang, North Korea. To say that Kim Jong Un is the leader of his country is a gross understatement. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File)
House Republicans and Democrats joined together Friday and overwhelmingly agreed to slap Pyongyang with more stringent sanctions. The 408-2 vote came after North Korea launched a rocket carrying a satellite into space and conducted its fourth nuclear test.
The only two members of the House of Representatives to vote against the bill were Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY). Thirteen members did not vote.
Lorenz Isidro, a spokesman for Massie, told TheBlaze on Friday the reason he voted no because it "expands" President Barack Obama's executive authority and "legitimizes" the United Nations and U.N. Security Council.
Jordan Bush, a spokesman for Amash, said the Michigan congressman opposes the bill because of its "unconstitutional" civil asset forfeiture provision.
Unconstitutional civil asset forfeiture provisions in NK bill violate due process rights of Americans. We must end, not expand, civil a.f.
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) February 12, 2016
The legislation unanimously passed the Senate earlier this week and the White House, too, has agreed on the need for tougher sanctions against the Hermit Kingdom. The goal of the legislation is to starve Pyongyang of the money it needs for the development of miniaturized nuclear warheads and the long-range missiles required to deliver them.
The legislation also authorizes $50 million to transmit radio broadcasts into North Korea, purchase communications equipment and support humanitarian assistance programs.
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This post has been updated.
