Washington, D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Eliot Engel, and Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Adam Schiff released the following joint statement ahead of the start of the North Korea Summit Tuesday in Singapore:

“The U.S. – North Korea summit that will begin in a few hours is a historic opportunity to build a more secure, stable Korean Peninsula and to reassert American leadership in Asia. We all want to see diplomacy succeed with North Korea – indeed, diplomatic engagement is the only way to deal with this crisis.

“Support from our partners and an international consensus will be essential to a successful outcome to high stakes nuclear diplomacy with Pyongyang. A deal that preserves the status quo in terms of North Korea’s nuclear capability while trading away our ability to counter their nuclear aggression and proliferation and allow them global market access by removing sanctions is unacceptable. The tough negotiation necessary to achieve an agreement that leads to lasting peace will require the support of our allies.

“We are deeply concerned by the Administration’s sidelining of diplomacy and undermining of American leadership on the global stage. We have no confirmed Ambassador to South Korea, no Assistant Secretary for Asia, and no senior official focused on North Korea.  The Administration has sought deep cuts to our international affairs budget and senior State Department officials have fled to the exits. Most recently, with his behavior at the G7 summit, the President alienated our closest friends at a time when the United States should be affirming the western alliance as the cornerstone of global security. 

“Regardless of what happens in the hours ahead, the Administration must consult with Congress on North Korea. Any potential deal must be subject to Congressional oversight.  The Congress insisted on robust monitoring under the JCPOA with Iran and should demand nothing less with regard to North Korea.”

# # #