{"bills":[{"photos":{"featured":"https://assets.causes.com/bill/photo/hr3289-116/featured_hong-kong-human-rights-and-democracy-act-of-2019-1571382080.jpg","featured_large":"https://assets.causes.com/bill/photo/hr3289-116/featured_large_hong-kong-human-rights-and-democracy-act-of-2019-1571382080.jpg","shareable":"https://n.causes.com/share-images/bills/hr3289-116.png"},"introduced_on":"2019-06-13","title_override":"Should the U.S. Take Steps to Deter China From Undermining Hong Kong’s Autonomy?","summary_override":"

This bill — the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act — would reaffirm the U.S. commitment to democracy, human rights, and autonomy of Hong Kong and aim to prevent the People’s Republic of China from undermining Hong Kong’s rights. It would require the administration to develop a strategy for protecting U.S. citizens and businesses from risks posed by Hong Kong allowing extradition to China, which would include revisions to the U.S.-Hong Kong extradition agreement or a State Dept. travel advisory.

The administration would be required to identify persons responsible for the abduction of Hong Kong booksellers and journalists and those complicit in suppressing basic freedoms, in addition to people complicit in the rendition of individuals to mainland China for trial or detention. Persons involved in such repression would be barred from entering the U.S. and all of their U.S.-based assets would be frozen.

The Secretary of State would be required to make an annual certification of Hong Kong’s autonomy to justify special export & trade treatment current federal law grants Hong Kong. The Secretary of Commerce would be required to issue an annual report assessing whether Hong Kong is adequately enforcing both U.S. export regulations related to sensitive dual-use items and sanctions imposed by the U.S. and United Nations, particularly those on Iran and North Korea.

Additionally, this bill would clarify that visa applicants shouldn’t be denied visas based on the applicant’s arrest, detention, or other adverse government action taken as a result of their participation in the non-violent, pro-democracy advocacy, human rights, or the rule of law in Hong Kong.

","official_title":"To amend the Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 and for other purposes.","short_title":"Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019","popular_title":null,"short_summary":"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 ...","summarized":true,"cost":null,"cost_commentary":"A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.","impact":"Hong Kong and its people; China; and the U.S.","argument_for":"Hong Kong needs to remain a free, democratic, and autonomous entity but is facing increasing interference from the communist Chinese government. 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Should the U.S. Take Steps to Deter China From Undermining Hong Kong’s Autonomy?