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Bill116th CongressFiled May 21, 2020International Affairs
S. 3798

Hong Kong Autonomy Act

Bill journey · stage 1 of 5

Just introduced

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Law

What it doesSummary passed senate (Jun 25, 2020)

Hong Kong Autonomy Act

This bill imposes sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that materially contribute to China's failure to preserve Hong Kong's autonomy.

Hong Kong is part of China but has a largely separate legal and economic system with protections for civil rights such as freedom of speech. This arrangement is enshrined in (1) the Joint Declaration, a 1984 treaty pertaining to the United Kingdom's transfer of Hong Kong's sovereignty to China; and (2) the Basic Law, Hong Kong's constitutional document.

The Department of State shall report annually to Congress information about (1) foreign individuals and entities that materially contributed to China's failure to comply with the Joint Declaration or the Basic Law; and (2) foreign financial institutions that knowingly conducted a significant transaction with such identified individuals and entities. An individual, entity, or financial institution may be excluded from this report for various reasons, such as to protect an intelligence source.

The President shall impose property-blocking sanctions on an individual or entity named in a report, and visa-blocking sanctions on a named individual. The President shall impose various sanctions on a financial institution named in a report, such as prohibiting the institution from receiving loans from a U.S. financial institution.

The President may waive or terminate the imposition of sanctions under this bill. Congress may override such a waiver or termination by passing a joint resolution of disapproval.

What just happenedJun 29, 2020

Held at the desk.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA](R-PA)Sponsor
11 cosponsors4 D7 R
Read on Congress.gov
11cosponsors1committees11actions1amendments3related bills23subjects
  1. Jun 29, 2020FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  2. Jun 29, 2020FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  3. Jun 29, 2020Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  4. Jun 25, 2020Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S3285-3289)

  5. Jun 25, 2020Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S3285-3289)

  6. Jun 25, 2020Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S3285-3289)

  7. Jun 25, 2020Discharge

    Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
  8. Jun 25, 2020Committee14500

    Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
  9. Jun 4, 2020Committee

    Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.

    Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
  10. May 21, 2020IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

    Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
  11. May 21, 2020IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Passed SenateJun 25, 202055

Hong Kong Autonomy Act

This bill imposes sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that materially contribute to China's failure to preserve Hong Kong's autonomy.

Hong Kong is part of China but has a largely separate legal and economic system with protections for civil rights such as freedom of speech. This arrangement is enshrined in (1) the Joint Declaration, a 1984 treaty pertaining to the United Kingdom's transfer of Hong Kong's sovereignty to China; and (2) the Basic Law, Hong Kong's constitutional document.

The Department of State shall report annually to Congress information about (1) foreign individuals and entities that materially contributed to China's failure to comply with the Joint Declaration or the Basic Law; and (2) foreign financial institutions that knowingly conducted a significant transaction with such identified individuals and entities. An individual, entity, or financial institution may be excluded from this report for various reasons, such as to protect an intelligence source.

The President shall impose property-blocking sanctions on an individual or entity named in a report, and visa-blocking sanctions on a named individual. The President shall impose various sanctions on a financial institution named in a report, such as prohibiting the institution from receiving loans from a U.S. financial institution.

The President may waive or terminate the imposition of sanctions under this bill. Congress may override such a waiver or termination by passing a joint resolution of disapproval.

Introduced in SenateMay 21, 2020

Hong Kong Autonomy Act

This bill imposes sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that materially contribute to China's failure to preserve Hong Kong's autonomy.

Hong Kong is part of China but has a largely separate legal and economic system with protections for civil rights such as freedom of speech. This arrangement is enshrined in (1) the Joint Declaration, a 1984 treaty pertaining to the United Kingdom's transfer of Hong Kong's sovereignty to China; and (2) the Basic Law, Hong Kong's constitutional document.

The Department of State shall report annually to Congress information about (1) foreign individuals and entities that materially contributed to China's failure to comply with the Joint Declaration or the Basic Law; and (2) foreign financial institutions that knowingly conducted a significant transaction with such identified individuals and entities. An individual, entity, or financial institution may be excluded from this report for various reasons, such as to protect an intelligence source.

The President may impose property-blocking sanctions on an individual or entity named in a report, and visa-blocking sanctions on a named individual. Such sanctions are mandatory if an individual or entity is named in two reports. The President shall impose various sanctions on a financial institution named in a report, such as prohibiting the institution from receiving loans from a U.S. financial institution.

The President may waive or terminate the imposition of sanctions under this bill. Congress may override such a waiver or termination by passing a joint resolution of disapproval.

Hong Kong Autonomy Act — Informed