Legis Daily

Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019

USA116th CongressHR-3289| House 
| Updated: 10/16/2019
Christopher H. Smith

Christopher H. Smith

Republican Representative

New Jersey

Cosponsors (47)
Markwayne Mullin (Republican)Chris Pappas (Democratic)Mark Meadows (Republican)Pete Olson (Republican)Joseph P. Kennedy (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Peter T. King (Republican)Ben McAdams (Democratic)Ed Case (Democratic)Chrissy Houlahan (Democratic)Jefferson Van Drew (Republican)Carolyn B. Maloney (Democratic)Eliot L. Engel (Democratic)Tom McClintock (Republican)John R. Curtis (Republican)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)J. French Hill (Republican)Scott Perry (Republican)Ro Khanna (Democratic)Kenny Marchant (Republican)Bill Flores (Republican)Don Bacon (Republican)Mario Diaz-Balart (Republican)Mark DeSaulnier (Democratic)Joe Wilson (Republican)Harley Rouda (Democratic)Dean Phillips (Democratic)Will Hurd (Republican)Anna G. Eshoo (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Brad Sherman (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Jim Costa (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Ted S. Yoho (Republican)Ron Wright (Republican)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Adam Kinzinger (Republican)Vicky Hartzler (Republican)Peter Welch (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Earl Blumenauer (Democratic)Bill Posey (Republican)Randy K. Sr. Weber (Republican)Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)Ayanna Pressley (Democratic)Lloyd Doggett (Democratic)

Foreign Affairs Committee, Financial Services Committee, Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

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Timeline
Jun 13, 2019
Introduced in House
Jun 13, 2019
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.
Sep 25, 2019
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
Sep 25, 2019
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Oct 15, 2019
Mr. Sherman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Oct 15, 2019
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8119-8124)
Oct 15, 2019
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3289.
Oct 15, 2019
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)
Oct 15, 2019
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8119-8122)
Oct 15, 2019
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Oct 16, 2019
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 243.
Nov 27, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 116-1838
Signed by President.
  • June 13, 2019
    Introduced in House


  • June 13, 2019
    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.


  • September 25, 2019
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.


  • September 25, 2019
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • October 15, 2019
    Mr. Sherman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • October 15, 2019
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8119-8124)


  • October 15, 2019
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3289.


  • October 15, 2019
    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)


  • October 15, 2019
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8119-8122)


  • October 15, 2019
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • October 16, 2019
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 243.


  • November 27, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 116-1838
    Signed by President.

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 116-1838: Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019
Arms control and nonproliferationAsiaChinaCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDetention of personsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadDrug trafficking and controlled substancesElections, voting, political campaign regulationForeign propertyFreedom of informationGovernment information and archivesHong KongHuman rightsInternational exchange and broadcastingInternational organizations and cooperationIranMiddle EastNews media and reportingNorth KoreaNuclear weaponsProtest and dissentReligionRule of law and government transparencySanctionsSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusTerrorismTrade restrictionsTravel and tourismVisas and passportsWar and emergency powers

Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019

USA116th CongressHR-3289| House 
| Updated: 10/16/2019
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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jun 13, 2019
Introduced in House
Jun 13, 2019
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.
Sep 25, 2019
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
Sep 25, 2019
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Oct 15, 2019
Mr. Sherman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Oct 15, 2019
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8119-8124)
Oct 15, 2019
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3289.
Oct 15, 2019
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)
Oct 15, 2019
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8119-8122)
Oct 15, 2019
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Oct 16, 2019
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 243.
Nov 27, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 116-1838
Signed by President.
  • June 13, 2019
    Introduced in House


  • June 13, 2019
    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.


  • September 25, 2019
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.


  • September 25, 2019
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • October 15, 2019
    Mr. Sherman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • October 15, 2019
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8119-8124)


  • October 15, 2019
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3289.


  • October 15, 2019
    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)


  • October 15, 2019
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8119-8122)


  • October 15, 2019
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • October 16, 2019
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 243.


  • November 27, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 116-1838
    Signed by President.
Christopher H. Smith

Christopher H. Smith

Republican Representative

New Jersey

Cosponsors (47)
Markwayne Mullin (Republican)Chris Pappas (Democratic)Mark Meadows (Republican)Pete Olson (Republican)Joseph P. Kennedy (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Peter T. King (Republican)Ben McAdams (Democratic)Ed Case (Democratic)Chrissy Houlahan (Democratic)Jefferson Van Drew (Republican)Carolyn B. Maloney (Democratic)Eliot L. Engel (Democratic)Tom McClintock (Republican)John R. Curtis (Republican)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)J. French Hill (Republican)Scott Perry (Republican)Ro Khanna (Democratic)Kenny Marchant (Republican)Bill Flores (Republican)Don Bacon (Republican)Mario Diaz-Balart (Republican)Mark DeSaulnier (Democratic)Joe Wilson (Republican)Harley Rouda (Democratic)Dean Phillips (Democratic)Will Hurd (Republican)Anna G. Eshoo (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Brad Sherman (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Jim Costa (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Ted S. Yoho (Republican)Ron Wright (Republican)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Adam Kinzinger (Republican)Vicky Hartzler (Republican)Peter Welch (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Earl Blumenauer (Democratic)Bill Posey (Republican)Randy K. Sr. Weber (Republican)Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)Ayanna Pressley (Democratic)Lloyd Doggett (Democratic)

Foreign Affairs Committee, Financial Services Committee, Judiciary Committee

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 116-1838: Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Arms control and nonproliferationAsiaChinaCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDetention of personsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadDrug trafficking and controlled substancesElections, voting, political campaign regulationForeign propertyFreedom of informationGovernment information and archivesHong KongHuman rightsInternational exchange and broadcastingInternational organizations and cooperationIranMiddle EastNews media and reportingNorth KoreaNuclear weaponsProtest and dissentReligionRule of law and government transparencySanctionsSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusTerrorismTrade restrictionsTravel and tourismVisas and passportsWar and emergency powers