HRES 277 108th Congress House International Affairs Administration of justice China Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Congress Crime and Law Enforcement Democracy East Asia Freedom of association Freedom of speech Government Operations and Politics Hong Kong Human rights Law Legislation Legislative bodies Police Referendum Separation of powers

Expressing support for freedom in Hong Kong.

Introduced: June 16, 2003 See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 11 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Agreed to (House)

Jun 26, 2003

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5990-5991)

Jun 26, 2003

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Jun 26, 2003

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 426 - 1 (Roll no. 326). (text: CR 6/25/2003 H5837-5838)

Jun 25, 2003

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 277.

Jun 25, 2003

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.

Jun 25, 2003

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5837-5841)

Jun 25, 2003

Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

Jun 17, 2003

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Jun 17, 2003

Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

Jun 16, 2003

Introduced in House

Jun 16, 2003

Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

Votes taken on this bill 1

Date	Chamber	What was voted on	Result	Yes–No
Jun 26, 2003	House · vote #326	On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree	Passed	426–1	See who voted →

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Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Condemns any restriction of the freedom of thought, expression, or association in Hong Kong, consistent with the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992.

Recognizes that because Hong Kong exercises considerable influence in international affairs, as a developed economy, financial center, trading entrepot and shipping center, reductions in the existing freedom of the Hong Kong people would be of global significance.

Urges the Hong Kong Government and the People's Republic of China to withdraw the proposed implementation of Article 23 of the Basic Law insofar as it would reduce the basic human freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.

Calls upon the People's Republic of China, the National People's Congress, and any other groups appointed by the Government of China to leave all revisions of Hong Kong law to a legislature elected by universal suffrage.

Urges immediate elections for the Legislative Council of Hong Kong according to rules approved by the Hong Kong people through an election-law convention, referendum, or both.

Calls upon the Government of China to fully respect the autonomy and independence of the chief executive, the civil service, the judiciary, the police of Hong Kong, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Calls upon the U.S. Government, other governments, the people of the United States, and the people of the world to support freedom in Hong Kong by: (1) making clear statements against any limitations on existing human freedoms in Hong Kong; and (2) transmitting those statements to the people and the Government of the People's Republic of China.

What's happening now June 26, 2003

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Related & companion bills 1

Bill text 1 version

Introduced in House Formatted Text PDF

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

Committees of jurisdiction 1

Foreign Affairs Committee
House of Representatives

Cosponsors 7

Smith, Christopher H.

New Jersey · Jun 17, 2003

Diaz-Balart, Mario

Florida · Jun 16, 2003

Markey, Edward J.

Massachusetts · Jun 16, 2003

Pelosi, Nancy

California · Jun 16, 2003

Sessions, Pete

Texas · Jun 16, 2003

Wicker, Roger F.

Mississippi · Jun 16, 2003

Wilson, Joe

South Carolina · Jun 16, 2003

Cite this page click to expand

APA

U.S. Congress. (2026). H. Res. 277: Expressing support for freedom in Hong Kong.. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HRES-277/

MLA

"H. Res. 277: Expressing support for freedom in Hong Kong.." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HRES-277/.

Bluebook (legal)

H. Res. 277, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HRES-277/.

Markdown link

[H. Res. 277: Expressing support for freedom in Hong Kong.](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HRES-277/)