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Bill116th CongressFiled Jun 13, 2019International Affairs
H.R. 3289

Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019

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What it doesSummary passed house (Oct 15, 2019)

Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019

This bill addresses Hong Kong's status under U.S. law and imposes sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong. (Hong Kong is part of China but has a largely separate legal and economic system.)

The Department of State shall certify annually to Congress as to whether Hong Kong warrants its unique treatment under various treaties, agreements, and U.S. law. The analysis shall evaluate whether Hong Kong is upholding the rule of law and protecting rights enumerated in various documents, including (1) the agreement between the United Kingdom and China regarding Hong Kong's return to China, and (2) the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The bill extends existing annual reporting requirements on matters of U.S. interest in Hong Kong through 2027 and expands such reports to include assessments of (1) limits to Hong Kong's autonomy, either self-imposed or due to China's actions; and (2) whether rescission of Hong Kong's special treatment would further erode Hong Kong's autonomy.

The President shall annually report to Congress on Hong Kong's enforcement of U.S. export controls, including whether items of U.S. origin have been used for mass surveillance in China and whether Hong Kong has been used to evade sanctions on North Korea or Iran.

The State Department shall notify Congress if any proposed or enacted law in Hong Kong negatively impacts U.S. interests, including by putting U.S. citizens at risk of rendition to China.

The President shall impose property and visa-blocking sanctions on foreign persons responsible for gross human rights violations in Hong Kong.

What just happenedOct 16, 2019

Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 243.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4](R-NJ)Sponsor
47 cosponsors26 D21 R
Read on Congress.gov
47cosponsors3committees14actions1related bills31subjects
  1. Oct 16, 2019Calendars

    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 243.

  2. Oct 15, 2019FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Oct 15, 2019FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8119-8122)

  4. Oct 15, 2019Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8119-8122)

  5. Oct 15, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3289.

  6. Oct 15, 2019FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8119-8124)

  7. Oct 15, 2019FloorH30300

    Mr. Sherman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  8. Sep 25, 2019Committee

    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  9. Sep 25, 2019Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  10. Jun 13, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Financial Services Committee
  11. Jun 13, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Judiciary Committee
  12. Jun 13, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  13. Jun 13, 2019IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  14. Jun 13, 2019IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed HouseOct 15, 201953

Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019

This bill addresses Hong Kong's status under U.S. law and imposes sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong. (Hong Kong is part of China but has a largely separate legal and economic system.)

The Department of State shall certify annually to Congress as to whether Hong Kong warrants its unique treatment under various treaties, agreements, and U.S. law. The analysis shall evaluate whether Hong Kong is upholding the rule of law and protecting rights enumerated in various documents, including (1) the agreement between the United Kingdom and China regarding Hong Kong's return to China, and (2) the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The bill extends existing annual reporting requirements on matters of U.S. interest in Hong Kong through 2027 and expands such reports to include assessments of (1) limits to Hong Kong's autonomy, either self-imposed or due to China's actions; and (2) whether rescission of Hong Kong's special treatment would further erode Hong Kong's autonomy.

The President shall annually report to Congress on Hong Kong's enforcement of U.S. export controls, including whether items of U.S. origin have been used for mass surveillance in China and whether Hong Kong has been used to evade sanctions on North Korea or Iran.

The State Department shall notify Congress if any proposed or enacted law in Hong Kong negatively impacts U.S. interests, including by putting U.S. citizens at risk of rendition to China.

The President shall impose property and visa-blocking sanctions on foreign persons responsible for gross human rights violations in Hong Kong.

Introduced in HouseJun 13, 2019

Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019

This bill directs various departments to assess whether political developments in Hong Kong justify changing Hong Kong's unique treatment under U.S. law.

Hong Kong is part of China but has a largely separate legal and economic system.

The Department of State shall report annually to Congress as to whether Hong Kong is sufficiently autonomous from China to justify its unique treatment. The report shall assess whether China has eroded Hong Kong's civil liberties and rule of law as protected by Hong Kong's Basic Law.

The Department of Commerce shall report annually to Congress on China's efforts to use Hong Kong to evade U.S. export controls and sanctions.

The President shall provide Congress an assessment as to whether to withdraw from the U.S.-Hong Kong extradition treaty, and what actions are needed to protect U.S. citizens and national security interests, if Hong Kong (1) amends its laws to allow the rendition of individuals to countries that lack defendants' rights protections, or (2) passes a national security law.

The State Department shall allow otherwise qualified Hong Kong residents to obtain visas to work or study in the United States, even if the applicant had been arrested for participating in certain nonviolent protests supporting human rights or the rule of law.

The President shall report to Congress a list of individuals responsible for abducting and torturing people for exercising internationally recognized human rights in Hong Kong. The bill bars such individuals from entering the United States and imposes sanctions on them.