Responses to Survey on War and Peace in Korea

Candidate Name Party Seat	What actions will you take to promote sustained, patient diplomacy with North Korea?	Loose talk of war is immoral, irresponsible and disrespectful to all those who have lost their lives on the Korean peninsula. Will you speak out against a war of choice in Korea?	As a Senator would you support SB2047 which states the president does not have the authority to launch preemptive military attacks on North Korea without Congressional approval?
Neal Taylor Gale Green Senate	I will support South Korea’s bid to solidify relations and end the war with the North. I will work with regional partners on terms of a peace treaty that will benefit all parties, including the north, calling for economic ties that will favor the democratization of North Korea, and support its people, as well as others in the region, and not just promote corporate interests. I will work for international negotiations to bring about complete disarmament of all nuclear weapons. I will do whatever I can to ensure the State Department takes the lead on U.S. relations with North Korea	I will push to repeal the 2001 Authorization of Use of Military Force (AUMF) and support requiring a congressional declaration of war be made before any military action can be implemented. In particular in North Korea. I will speak out against any such war, since it can only result in a staggering loss of life, destruction of much of the infrastructure in the North and South and the possible use of nuclear weapons. Although the ultimate devastation of the region would depend on the types of weapons used, both conventional and nuclear, it is likely that any military conflict will leave the peninsula in a state of chaos and ruin.	I would absolutely support SB2047. I will work to repeal the 2001 UAMF, which has been used by every president since, to engage in military actions around the world, without congressional approval and in some cases, without congressional knowledge. That is unacceptable.
Dale Kerns Libertarian Senate	No response	No response	No response
Bob Casey Democrat Senate	Casey’s team corresponded with the survey team but failed to produce a response by the stated deadline.	No response	No response
Lou Barletta Republican Senate	No response	No response	No response
Lloyd Smucker Republican US Cong/PA 11	No response	No response	I am pleased with the progress the Trump Administration has made to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. As a result of ongoing negotiations, North Korea hasn't conducted a ballistic missile test in a year, and has just agreed to allow inspections to oversee the destruction of its nuclear test facilities. The Trump Administration should continue pursuing a lasting peaceful solution while making sure Kim Jong Un's regime maintains its commitment to denuclearization. H.R. 4837 prohibits the use of U.S. armed forces from engaging in a military conflict with North Korea without specific authorization from Congress. While I believe Congress must provide consent should the use of military force be absolutely necessary - in accordance with the U.S. Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973 - I am concerned H.R. 4837 would unnecessarily limit the Administration's ability to negotiate a lasting peace deal with North Korea. As the 115th Congress moves forward, I will continue my work to support the U.S. State Department's pursuit of peace in the Korean Peninsula.
Jess King Democrat US Cong/ PA 11	Investment in our State Department and Foreign Service to ensure we support our diplomats should be a priority for every Congressional representative. Yet we are slashing their budgets by 30% while increasing Department of Defense spending. We need to increase investment in the State Department to ensure we have the capacity to pursue bilateral and multilateral diplomatic efforts with the goal of negotiating a halt and eventual rollback of North Korea’s nuclear program.	Yes. Use of military force should always be a last resort. Leadership by tweet is unacceptable.	Yes. Overall, we need more Congressional oversight of war, which is how our government was designed to function. I would support HR 4837

Pat Toomey

Through its nuclear weapons program, human rights violations and illicit activities, North Korea continues to pose one of the gravest threats to the U.S. and our allies. Under the repressive rule of Kim Jong-un, the U.S.-North Korean relationship has remained deadlocked. North Korea has successfully launched several more advanced intermediate range nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, in violation of numerous UN Security Council resolutions. I also remain concerned over North Korea's treatment of Otto Warmbier, an American student who died after being detained by the North Korean government for over 14 months. The inhumane treatment of Otto and other prisoners in North Korea, along with the nation's disregard for human rights, is deeply troubling.

For these reasons, I have supported the strongest possible sanctions on North Korea. Last Congress, the Senate voted unanimously, and with my support, to pass the North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act (Public Law 114-122), which puts mandatory sanctions on North Korea for its nuclear and ballistic missile activities, human rights abuses, malicious cyber activities, and illicit mineral trade. I also introduced with Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) the Banking Restrictions Involving North Korea, or BRINK Act. Our bill, which has passed the Senate Banking Committee and awaits further action by the full Senate, places mandatory sanctions on financial institutions that facilitate trade with the North Korean regime.

Even as efforts to isolate North Korea continue, President Trump met with Kim Jong-un on June 12, 2018 in a new effort to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. As a result of this meeting, both sides agreed to a general framework for denuclearization and the return of the remains of American soldiers killed during the Korean War. President Trump also announced a suspension of large joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States.

As discussions with North Korea continue, it is critical that strong sanctions remain in place until tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible nuclear dismantlement are taken. President Trump is right to seek an agreement that compels North Korea to stop this pursuit and I hope he will be successful. The regime in North Korea has made lofty promises to previous administrations only to renege shortly thereafter. For real progress to happen, much work is left to be done.