Whereas the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) continues to test nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles that could imperil the United States, and certainly threatens our allies in the Asia-Pacific region, and United States interests around the world; Whereas North Korea has consistently flouted United Nations (UN) resolutions, international agreements, sanctions, and arms controls in pursuit of its illicit nuclear weapons program; Whereas North Korea has reportedly completed six nuclear weapons tests, to date, since 2006; Whereas North Korea has conducted dozens of ballistic missile and component tests just since 2016, including its reportedly first successful intercontinental ballistic missile test on July 4, 2017; Whereas North Korea’s ballistic missile program has tested missiles which are believed to have a range sufficient to reach Guam, home to more than 162,000 Americans, and over 10,000 United States military personnel and their families, as well as the continental United States; Whereas North Korea has repeatedly made direct threats against Guam, including following the August 5, 2017, UN resolution by announcing plans to target the island’s United States territorial waters with missile strikes; Whereas the United States has deployed the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and other military assets to protect Americans on Guam and our allies in the region; Whereas the United States Government has a constitutional imperative to protect all American citizens, including those living on Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Alaska, and Hawaii; and Whereas an avoidable military confrontation with North Korea would harm our national interests and endanger American citizens: Now, therefore, be it