The US Senate Finance Committee extends a US ban on imports from Burma by three years to maintain pressure on the military-dominated nation to continue economic and political reform. The legislation, first passed in 2003, was due to expire at the end of July but still allows the Obama administration to waive or end sanctions in response to further democratization by Naypyidaw. “By reauthorizing the import sanctions for three years, we maintain pressure on the Burmese government to undertake reforms,” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus was quoted by AFP.