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Duckworth Backs Bill To Restrict Attack on North Korea

Ryan Delaney/St. Louis Public Radio
Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth is backing a bill to put certain restrictions on any attack on North Korea.

Illinois U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth is calling for a new law that would give Congress a greater say before America could attack North Korea.

"I think what’s important is to realize that war is very much imminent in North Korea,” she said.

She says war would be “catastrophic" for people in the region, including thousands in the American military.

“I am not afraid to go to war,” she said, “but I want the American people to know exactly what that will entail, in terms of loss of life, in terms of the commitment of this country, and to make sure that we move forward with the full participation of all the branches of government.”

The law would prohibit spending any money on military action against North Korea without an imminent threat. There are exceptions for a sudden attack on U.S. territories or the military.

"It’s clear that any debate on military action against North Korea can’t be taken lightly,” Duckworth, a Democrat, said. “Unfortunately, I think our commander in chief does take such debate lightly.”

She is one of seven Democratic senators, include Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, co-sponsoring the measure.

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.