Press Releases

U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., today introduced two bills in the U.S. House of Representatives aimed at strengthening national security. Murphy, who is a former national security specialist at the U.S. Department of Defense, said her bills would improve the way the U.S. collects and uses intelligence on North Korea and would safeguard Americans by promoting security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region more broadly.

“Of all the security challenges that the United States confronts, the most serious threat arguably stems from North Korea,” said Murphy. “I’m introducing two bills focused on reducing the threat from North Korean and strengthening our alliances throughout the Asia-Pacific region. As a former national security specialist and member of the House Armed Services Committee, I’m working every day to ensure America’s foreign policy is both strong and smart and that we always put the safety and security of the American people first.”

Murphy’s first bill, the North Korea Intelligence Enhancement Act, would require the Director of National Intelligence to create a North Korea-focused integration cell consisting of experts who would streamline, synthesize and synchronize intelligence on North Korea so that U.S. policymakers have the best information possible upon which to base decisions.

“North Korea is a difficult intelligence target. It is a secretive society where dissent is severely punished. This makes the recruitment of human sources inside the country very challenging.  Moreover, high-level defectors from North Korea with intelligence about the regime are rare,” said Murphy. “The cell would seek to ensure that the U.S. government is collecting intelligence on North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, missile programs, weapon sales, and other activities that violate U.N. sanctions. The cell would also work to make certain that this intelligence is efficiently disseminated to the appropriate national security policymakers so it can inform decision-making.”

Her second bill, the Asia-Pacific Defense Commission Act, would create a commission of U.S. security officials and their counterparts from willing regional partner nations to ensure the stability of the Asia-Pacific region. This region encompasses about 40 countries containing over 60 percent of the world’s population, including many of the U.S.’s top import and export partners. The commission would increase military readiness, strengthen counterterrorism operations, enhance maritime security, bolster cybersecurity, and improve intelligence coordination.

“This commission would send a clear signal to allies and adversaries alike that the U.S. commitment to the Asia-Pacific region is intensive and enduring,” said Murphy. “Our Asia-Pacific partnerships are essential as we confront aggression by North Korea, carefully manage the rise of China, dismantle terrorist networks, ensure freedom of navigation in international waters, guarantee the free flow of commerce, respond to humanitarian emergencies, and promote respect for the rule of law.”

Click here to view Murphy’s remarks on the House floor introducing her two bills, and click here to view her testimony in the House Armed Services Committee hearing with the Commander of U.S. Pacific Command. For more information, visit StephanieMurphy.house.gov.