Legis Daily

Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019

USA116th CongressS-1838| Senate 
| Updated: 11/27/2019
Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio

Republican Senator

Florida

Cosponsors (56)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Rick Scott (Republican)Mike Braun (Republican)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Dan Sullivan (Republican)Mitch McConnell (Republican)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Jerry Moran (Republican)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)James E. Risch (Republican)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Todd Young (Republican)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Tom Cotton (Republican)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)James M. Inhofe (Republican)Lindsey Graham (Republican)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Martha McSally (Republican)Mitt Romney (Republican)John Boozman (Republican)Robert P. Casey (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Ted Cruz (Republican)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Ben Sasse (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)James Lankford (Republican)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)John Kennedy (Republican)Johnny Isakson (Republican)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Josh Hawley (Republican)John Cornyn (Republican)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Benjamin L. Cardin (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Chuck Grassley (Republican)Patrick Toomey (Republican)Steve Daines (Republican)Ron Wyden (Democratic)John Hoeven (Republican)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)Shelley Moore Capito (Republican)

Foreign Relations Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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 and certify annually to Congress as to whether Hong Kong is sufficiently autonomous from China to justify its unique treatment. The report shall address issues including (1) demands for universal suffrage; (2) law enforcement cooperation, including extradition requests; (3) sanctions enforcement and export controls; (4) decision-making within the Hong Kong government; (5) judicial independence; (6) civil liberties in Hong Kong, including freedom of assembly and freedom of the press; and (7) how any erosion to Hong Kong's autonomy impacts areas of U.S.-Hong Kong cooperation. 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 and the extent of such violations occurring in Hong Kong generally. The report shall also (1) identify any items that were improperly reexported from Hong Kong, (2) assess whether dual-use items subject to U.S. export laws are being transshipped through Hong Kong, and (3) assess whether such dual-use items are being used to develop various mass-surveillance and predictive-policing tools or the social-credit system proposed for deployment in China. If the President determines that Hong Kong has proposed or enacted legislation that puts U.S. citizens at risk of extradition to mainland China or to another country that lacks defendants' rights protections, the President shall report to Congress on (1) a strategy for protecting U.S. citizens and businesses in Hong Kong, and (2) whether Hong Kong is legally competent to administer various law-enforcement agreements between Hong Kong and the United States. The State Department may not deny work- or student-visa applications from an otherwise qualified Hong Kong resident due to a politically motivated adverse action by the Hong Kong government against the applicant. The State Department shall encourage other democratic countries to take a similar approach. The President shall report to Congress a list of individuals responsible for committing acts that violate internationally recognized human rights in Hong Kong, including the extrajudicial rendition or torture of any person in Hong Kong. The bill bars such individuals from entering the United States and imposes sanctions on them.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
5 versions available

Suggested Questions

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Timeline
Jun 13, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Jun 13, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Sep 25, 2019
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Sep 26, 2019
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Sep 26, 2019
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 238.
Oct 16, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-3289
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 243.
Nov 19, 2019
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S6657-6660)
Nov 19, 2019
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S6657-6660)
Nov 19, 2019
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6654-6660)
Nov 19, 2019
The committee amendment withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (CR S6657)
Nov 20, 2019
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Nov 20, 2019
Received in the House.
Nov 20, 2019
Held at the desk.
Nov 20, 2019
Mr. Engel moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Nov 20, 2019
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9089-9096)
Nov 20, 2019
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1838.
Nov 20, 2019
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Nov 20, 2019
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H9100)
Nov 20, 2019
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 - 1 (Roll no. 635). (text: CR H9089-9092)
View Vote
Nov 20, 2019
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 21, 2019
Presented to President.
Nov 27, 2019
Signed by President.
Nov 27, 2019
Became Public Law No: 116-76.
  • June 13, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 13, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


  • September 25, 2019
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.


  • September 26, 2019
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • September 26, 2019
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 238.


  • October 16, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-3289
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 243.


  • November 19, 2019
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S6657-6660)


  • November 19, 2019
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S6657-6660)


  • November 19, 2019
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6654-6660)


  • November 19, 2019
    The committee amendment withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (CR S6657)


  • November 20, 2019
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • November 20, 2019
    Received in the House.


  • November 20, 2019
    Held at the desk.


  • November 20, 2019
    Mr. Engel moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • November 20, 2019
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9089-9096)


  • November 20, 2019
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1838.


  • November 20, 2019
    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.


  • November 20, 2019
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H9100)


  • November 20, 2019
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 - 1 (Roll no. 635). (text: CR H9089-9092)
    View Vote


  • November 20, 2019
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • November 21, 2019
    Presented to President.


  • November 27, 2019
    Signed by President.


  • November 27, 2019
    Became Public Law No: 116-76.

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • HR 116-3289: 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 laborForeign propertyFreedom of informationGovernment information and archivesHigher educationHong KongHuman rightsIntellectual propertyIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationInternational exchange and broadcastingInternational organizations and cooperationIranMiddle EastNews media and reportingNorth KoreaNuclear weaponsPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsProtest 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 CongressS-1838| Senate 
| Updated: 11/27/2019
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 and certify annually to Congress as to whether Hong Kong is sufficiently autonomous from China to justify its unique treatment. The report shall address issues including (1) demands for universal suffrage; (2) law enforcement cooperation, including extradition requests; (3) sanctions enforcement and export controls; (4) decision-making within the Hong Kong government; (5) judicial independence; (6) civil liberties in Hong Kong, including freedom of assembly and freedom of the press; and (7) how any erosion to Hong Kong's autonomy impacts areas of U.S.-Hong Kong cooperation. 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 and the extent of such violations occurring in Hong Kong generally. The report shall also (1) identify any items that were improperly reexported from Hong Kong, (2) assess whether dual-use items subject to U.S. export laws are being transshipped through Hong Kong, and (3) assess whether such dual-use items are being used to develop various mass-surveillance and predictive-policing tools or the social-credit system proposed for deployment in China. If the President determines that Hong Kong has proposed or enacted legislation that puts U.S. citizens at risk of extradition to mainland China or to another country that lacks defendants' rights protections, the President shall report to Congress on (1) a strategy for protecting U.S. citizens and businesses in Hong Kong, and (2) whether Hong Kong is legally competent to administer various law-enforcement agreements between Hong Kong and the United States. The State Department may not deny work- or student-visa applications from an otherwise qualified Hong Kong resident due to a politically motivated adverse action by the Hong Kong government against the applicant. The State Department shall encourage other democratic countries to take a similar approach. The President shall report to Congress a list of individuals responsible for committing acts that violate internationally recognized human rights in Hong Kong, including the extrajudicial rendition or torture of any person in Hong Kong. The bill bars such individuals from entering the United States and imposes sanctions on them.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
5 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jun 13, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Jun 13, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Sep 25, 2019
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Sep 26, 2019
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Sep 26, 2019
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 238.
Oct 16, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-3289
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 243.
Nov 19, 2019
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S6657-6660)
Nov 19, 2019
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S6657-6660)
Nov 19, 2019
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6654-6660)
Nov 19, 2019
The committee amendment withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (CR S6657)
Nov 20, 2019
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Nov 20, 2019
Received in the House.
Nov 20, 2019
Held at the desk.
Nov 20, 2019
Mr. Engel moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Nov 20, 2019
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9089-9096)
Nov 20, 2019
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1838.
Nov 20, 2019
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Nov 20, 2019
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H9100)
Nov 20, 2019
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 - 1 (Roll no. 635). (text: CR H9089-9092)
View Vote
Nov 20, 2019
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 21, 2019
Presented to President.
Nov 27, 2019
Signed by President.
Nov 27, 2019
Became Public Law No: 116-76.
  • June 13, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 13, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


  • September 25, 2019
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.


  • September 26, 2019
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • September 26, 2019
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 238.


  • October 16, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-3289
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 243.


  • November 19, 2019
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S6657-6660)


  • November 19, 2019
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S6657-6660)


  • November 19, 2019
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6654-6660)


  • November 19, 2019
    The committee amendment withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (CR S6657)


  • November 20, 2019
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • November 20, 2019
    Received in the House.


  • November 20, 2019
    Held at the desk.


  • November 20, 2019
    Mr. Engel moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • November 20, 2019
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9089-9096)


  • November 20, 2019
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1838.


  • November 20, 2019
    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.


  • November 20, 2019
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H9100)


  • November 20, 2019
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 - 1 (Roll no. 635). (text: CR H9089-9092)
    View Vote


  • November 20, 2019
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • November 21, 2019
    Presented to President.


  • November 27, 2019
    Signed by President.


  • November 27, 2019
    Became Public Law No: 116-76.
Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio

Republican Senator

Florida

Cosponsors (56)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Rick Scott (Republican)Mike Braun (Republican)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Dan Sullivan (Republican)Mitch McConnell (Republican)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Jerry Moran (Republican)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)James E. Risch (Republican)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Todd Young (Republican)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Tom Cotton (Republican)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)James M. Inhofe (Republican)Lindsey Graham (Republican)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Martha McSally (Republican)Mitt Romney (Republican)John Boozman (Republican)Robert P. Casey (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Ted Cruz (Republican)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Ben Sasse (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)James Lankford (Republican)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)John Kennedy (Republican)Johnny Isakson (Republican)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Josh Hawley (Republican)John Cornyn (Republican)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Benjamin L. Cardin (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Chuck Grassley (Republican)Patrick Toomey (Republican)Steve Daines (Republican)Ron Wyden (Democratic)John Hoeven (Republican)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)Shelley Moore Capito (Republican)

Foreign Relations Committee

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • HR 116-3289: 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 laborForeign propertyFreedom of informationGovernment information and archivesHigher educationHong KongHuman rightsIntellectual propertyIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationInternational exchange and broadcastingInternational organizations and cooperationIranMiddle EastNews media and reportingNorth KoreaNuclear weaponsPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsProtest and dissentReligionRule of law and government transparencySanctionsSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusTerrorismTrade restrictionsTravel and tourismVisas and passportsWar and emergency powers