Hong Kong Bill on Special Status Heads to House, Senate Votes
- Committees approve Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act
- Swift advancement of bills underscores bipartisan support
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Congressional committees in the House and Senate approved legislation supporting pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, warning China that any crackdown could revoke the city’s special trading status with the U.S.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday advanced legislation that would require annual assessments of whether Hong Kong is sufficiently autonomous from Beijing to justify its unique treatment under U.S. law. The Senate panel approved a bill sponsored by GOP Senator Marco Rubio of Florida a few hours after the House committee passed a companion bill sponsored by Republican Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey.