U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., the co-chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), scored a win this week as his “Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act” cleared the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
After protests in Hong Kong, which started over a proposed extradition policy that could lead activists in that city to be deported to mainland China, Rubio pushed his proposal, including calling on Congress to pass it at a CECC meeting earlier this month.
Rubio first introduced the proposal, which “would renew the United States’ historical commitment to freedom and democracy in Hong Kong at a time when its autonomy is increasingly under assault,” in November 2016 and brought it back twice since then. U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., have been among its chief supporters in the Senate.
Specifically, the proposal would continue following the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 for insisting on democracy and human rights for that city. The legislation would also make the Secretary of State issue annual reports on how democratic institutions are faring in Hong Kong and help “Umbrella Movement" activists opposing the communist Chinese regime apply for visas.
Rubio was able to get the bill through the Foreign Relations Committee, on which he sits, through on Wednesday with no opposition.
“As the people of Hong Kong stand up in defense of their long-cherished autonomy and freedoms, I want them to know that the United States and the free world support them,” Rubio said. “Beijing continues to erode the autonomy that it had promised to Hong Kong in a legally-binding 1984 international treaty with Britain and under Hong Kong’s Basic Law. I urge Congress to pass this bill and send it to the President for enactment so the United States and partner nations can hold China fully accountable for its ongoing efforts to undermine Hong Kong’s freedoms and autonomy.”
“For months now the world has witnessed the bravery of tens of thousands of pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong whose quest for autonomy and democracy has been beaten back with brutal force. Our bill sends a strong message that Congress and the people of the United States stand in solidarity with them,” Cardin said. “The United States cannot stand idly by as China tramples on the basic human and civil rights of the people of Hong Kong and spreads disinformation in an attempt to discredit and silence their voices. Our bill demonstrates the Congress’ work across party lines to ensure robust affirmation of Hong Kong’s autonomy and to make clear that there must be consequences those who seek to further undermine it.”
Rubio has reeled in the support of a host of senators including U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Id., who chairs the committee, and U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-NJ, who leads Democrats on the committee. Other backers include U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, and U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah.
The companion bill in the U.S. House, which is backed by U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-NJ, is also gaining traction. This week, the bill cleared the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.
