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Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019

Introduced: October 4, 2019 Introduced by: Smith, Christopher H. Republican · New Jersey See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 11 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 16, 2019
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 243.
Oct 15, 2019
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
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
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
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3289.
Oct 15, 2019
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8119-8124)
Oct 15, 2019
Mr. Sherman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
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.
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.
Jun 13, 2019
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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.

What's happening now October 16, 2019

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

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 1838 Identical bill Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 38
All 38 Democratic 17 Republican 10
D
Costa, Jim
California · Oct 4, 2019
Kinzinger, Adam
· Oct 4, 2019
 D
Pappas, Chris
New Hampshire · Oct 4, 2019
ENGEL, ELIOT
· Sep 25, 2019
Marchant, Kenny
· Sep 25, 2019
 D
Houlahan, Chrissy
Pennsylvania · Sep 24, 2019
Kennedy, Joseph
· Sep 24, 2019
 D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Sep 24, 2019
 R
Wilson, Joe
South Carolina · Sep 24, 2019
Hartzler, Vicky
· Sep 20, 2019
Flores, Bill
· Sep 19, 2019
 R
Weber, Randy K. Sr.
Texas · Sep 18, 2019
 R
Diaz-Balart, Mario
Florida · Sep 17, 2019
 R
McClintock, Tom
California · Sep 17, 2019
 D
Pocan, Mark
Wisconsin · Sep 17, 2019
KING, PETER
· Sep 12, 2019
 R
Hill, J. French
Arkansas · Sep 11, 2019
 D
Watson Coleman, Bonnie
New Jersey · Sep 11, 2019
 D
Welch, Peter
Vermont · Sep 11, 2019
 D
Clarke, Yvette D.
New York · Sep 6, 2019
 D
Doggett, Lloyd
Texas · Sep 6, 2019
Olson, Pete
· Sep 6, 2019
 D
DeSaulnier, Mark
California · Aug 30, 2019
 D
Khanna, Ro
California · Aug 30, 2019
 R
Curtis, John R.
Utah · Aug 20, 2019
Meadows, Mark
· Aug 20, 2019
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Aug 20, 2019
 D
Pressley, Ayanna
Massachusetts · Aug 20, 2019
 D
Case, Ed
Hawaii · Aug 2, 2019
 R
Van Drew, Jefferson
New Jersey · Jun 28, 2019
Hurd, Will
· Jun 19, 2019
 R
Bacon, Don
Nebraska · Jun 18, 2019
 R
Fitzpatrick, Brian K.
Pennsylvania · Jun 13, 2019
 D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · Jun 13, 2019
 R
Perry, Scott
Pennsylvania · Jun 13, 2019
 D
Sherman, Brad
California · Jun 13, 2019
 D
Suozzi, Thomas R.
New York · Jun 13, 2019
Yoho, Ted
· Jun 13, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3289: Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-3289/
MLA
"H.R. 3289: Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-3289/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3289, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-3289/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3289: Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-3289/)
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