Foreign Affairs Committee, Africa Subcommittee, Financial Services Committee, East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, Judiciary Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2017 This bill amends the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Department of State to report to Congress (within 90 days and annually thereafter through 2023) on conditions in Hong Kong that are of U.S. interest. Such report shall include matters in which Hong Kong is given separate treatment under U.S. laws from that accorded to China. The State Department shall certify to Congress annually whether Hong Kong is sufficiently autonomous to justify separate treatment different from that accorded to China in any new laws, agreements, treaties, or arrangements entered into between the United States and Hong Kong. The President shall identify persons responsible for: (1) the surveillance, abduction, detention, or forced confessions of certain booksellers and journalists in Hong Kong; and (2) other actions suppressing basic freedoms. The bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to deny U.S. entry to identified individuals and revoke visas or other entry documentation. Entry, work, or study visa applicants who resided in Hong Kong in 2014 shall not be denied visas on the basis of the applicant's arrest or detention or other adverse government action taken as a result of participation in the nonviolent protest activities related to Hong Kong's electoral process. The President shall freeze the U.S.-based assets of identified individuals.
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.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1294)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.
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.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1294)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresArt, artists, authorshipAsiaBooks and print mediaChinaCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDepartment of the TreasuryDetention of personsElections, voting, political campaign regulationEuropeForeign laborForeign propertyHigher educationHong KongHuman rightsInternational exchange and broadcastingInternational law and treatiesInternational organizations and cooperationNews media and reportingPolitical movements and philosophiesPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsProtest and dissentReligionSanctionsSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusUnited KingdomVisas and passportsWar and emergency powers
To reinstate reporting requirements related to United States-Hong Kong relations.
USA115th CongressHR-3856| House
| Updated: 11/29/2017
Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2017 This bill amends the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Department of State to report to Congress (within 90 days and annually thereafter through 2023) on conditions in Hong Kong that are of U.S. interest. Such report shall include matters in which Hong Kong is given separate treatment under U.S. laws from that accorded to China. The State Department shall certify to Congress annually whether Hong Kong is sufficiently autonomous to justify separate treatment different from that accorded to China in any new laws, agreements, treaties, or arrangements entered into between the United States and Hong Kong. The President shall identify persons responsible for: (1) the surveillance, abduction, detention, or forced confessions of certain booksellers and journalists in Hong Kong; and (2) other actions suppressing basic freedoms. The bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to deny U.S. entry to identified individuals and revoke visas or other entry documentation. Entry, work, or study visa applicants who resided in Hong Kong in 2014 shall not be denied visas on the basis of the applicant's arrest or detention or other adverse government action taken as a result of participation in the nonviolent protest activities related to Hong Kong's electoral process. The President shall freeze the U.S.-based assets of identified individuals.
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.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1294)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.
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.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1294)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresArt, artists, authorshipAsiaBooks and print mediaChinaCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDepartment of the TreasuryDetention of personsElections, voting, political campaign regulationEuropeForeign laborForeign propertyHigher educationHong KongHuman rightsInternational exchange and broadcastingInternational law and treatiesInternational organizations and cooperationNews media and reportingPolitical movements and philosophiesPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsProtest and dissentReligionSanctionsSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusUnited KingdomVisas and passportsWar and emergency powers