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S. 2758 116th Congress Senate

Hong Kong Be Water Act

Official title: A bill to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to combat the suppression of the freedoms of speech, association, assembl… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to combat the suppression of the freedoms of speech, association, assembly, procession, and demonstration of the people of Hong Kong, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 31, 2019 Introduced by: Josh Hawley Republican · Missouri See on congress.gov
International Affairs AsiaChinaCongressional oversightDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Foreign and international corporationsForeign propertyHong KongHuman rightsPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsProtest and dissentSanctionsSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusWar and emergency powers
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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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 31, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Oct 31, 2019
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action October 31, 2019

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Hong Kong Be Water Act

This bill directs the President to impose sanctions on, and freeze assets belonging to, individuals and entities responsible for suppression of freedoms in Hong Kong.

The President shall impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on any foreign person who is an official of Hong Kong's government or China's government and who knowingly suppressed the freedom of speech, association, procession, or demonstration in Hong Kong. These sanctions shall also apply to foreign individuals or entities acting on behalf of or cooperating with such a government official.

The President shall also block property transactions involving a Chinese national, an entity owned or controlled by China's government, or an officer or senior official of such an entity, if that individual or entity has attempted to undermine the autonomy, basic liberties, and human rights of the people of Hong Kong.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 5725 Identical bill Hong Kong Be Water Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Republican 2
R
Cornyn, John
Texas · Oct 31, 2019
 R
Scott, Rick
Florida · Oct 31, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 2758: Hong Kong Be Water Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-2758/
MLA
"S. 2758: Hong Kong Be Water Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-2758/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 2758, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-2758/.
Markdown link
[S. 2758: Hong Kong Be Water Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-2758/)
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