The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to approve a provision that would bar the Pentagon from doing business with telecommunications firms that support North Korean cyberattacks. 

According to the U.S. political Web site The Hill, the amendment, proposed by Representative Robert Pittenger, was approved Friday by the full House to be included in an annual defense policy bill. 

The Hill said that specifically, the provision would prohibit the Pentagon from doing business with telecommunications firms found “to have knowingly assisted or facilitated a cyberattack carried out by or on behalf of the government” of North Korea or individuals associated with the government.

Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats would be required within 30 days of the law’s enactment to make a list of the telecommunications contractors associated with North Korean cyberattacks. 

During a speech on the House floor, Pittenger described the provision as a way to crack down on Chinese firms knowingly supporting North Korean aggression.

He said the amendment strikes to the heart of what he believes to be the cornerstone of North Korea policy and that "for far too long, China has enabled the North Korean government to pursue nuclear development, global provocation and egregious human rights violations.” 

Pittenger claimed the amendment is one of many steps Congress needs to take to demonstrate to China that the U.S. will no longer tolerate its alliance and partnership with North Korea.

[Photo : ]