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Congressional Research Service
Version 55 · Passed Senate · Jun 16, 2022
Otto Warmbier Countering North Korean Censorship and Surveillance Act of 2021
This bill authorizes sanctions related to censorship in North Korea and addresses related issues.
The President may impose property-blocking sanctions on foreign individuals and entities responsible for implementing or facilitating North Korea's censorship laws and surveillance. For the individuals that meet such criteria, the President may also impose visa-blocking sanctions.
The bill also authorizes the U.S. Agency for Global Media to provide increased broadcasting and grants for various purposes, including the development of internet freedom tools to facilitate information sharing related to North Korea and the restoration of the agency's broadcasting capacity to North Korea.
The President must submit to Congress a strategy to combat North Korea's information environment. The Department of State and the Department of the Treasury must jointly report to Congress each year on U.S. government activities related to the enforcement of sanctions against North Korea.
People & committees
Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH] · R–OH
Legislative record
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Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3011-3013; text: CR S3011-3013)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S3011-3013; text: CR S3011-3013)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 159.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jan 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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