WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, praised House passage of their Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (S. 1838) today, sending the bill directly to President Trump’s desk for signature. The amended bipartisan bill unanimously passed the Senate last night.
“I’m glad to see the U.S. House join the Senate in supporting the people of Hong Kong,” said Risch. “Passing this legislation is an important step forward in holding the Chinese Communist Party accountable for its erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy and its repression of fundamental human rights. This legislation is the product of a true bipartisan, bicameral effort. I’m gratified this vote was unanimous in the Senate and nearly unanimous in the House, and that we came together with one voice to tell the people of Hong Kong that the United States stands with them.”
“After the Senate unanimously passed our Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, I applaud Speaker Pelosi for taking swift action to send this bill directly to President Trump’s desk for signature,” Rubio said. “As the Chinese Communist Party and Hong Kong government officials continue to violate the basic rights of the Hong Kong people and erode Hong Kong’s autonomy, the United States must make clear that we continue to stand with Hong Kongers fighting for their long-cherished freedoms. I urge the President to sign this critical bill into law as soon as possible.”
“For 24 consecutive weeks, the people of Hong Kong have been asking for their democracy, freedoms and promised autonomy to be respected. Congress has heard their pleas and now we have additional tools to back up our long-time commitment to Hong Kong with action,” said Cardin. “Passage of this bipartisan bill and the sanctions now available against those responsible for gross violations of human rights makes clear that the American people stand in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong.”
“I am incredibly proud to see Congress take this comprehensive approach in sending a message of support to the people of Hong Kong and their legitimate aspirations for their autonomy, their human rights, and their democratic freedoms under ‘one country, two systems’,” Menendez said. “This legislation takes concrete steps to meaningfully back that message up with clear and robust policy. Congress has done its job. As the situation in Hong Kong nears a breaking point, President Trump must not waste any time in signing this critical bill into law.”
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