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US House unanimously passes China sanctions bill over controversial Hong Kong law

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The US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act by unanimous consent to penalize banks who do business with Chinese officials responsible for cracking down on pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. The bill, which is similar but not identical to a measure passed by the US Senate last week, will require Senate approval again before going to President Donald Trump for his signature. A day earlier, Hong Kong police arrested hundreds and used pepper spray and water cannon to disperse protesters in the city following the passage of a new national security law, which promises to greatly punish crimes of "subversion and secession" with life in prison.

The US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act by unanimous consent to penalize banks who do business with Chinese officials responsible for cracking down on pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. The bill, which is similar but not identical to a measure passed by the US Senate last week, will require Senate approval again before going to President Donald Trump for his signature. A day earlier, Hong Kong police arrested hundreds and used pepper spray and water cannon to disperse protesters in the city following the passage of a new national security law, which promises to greatly punish crimes of "subversion and secession" with life in prison.

  1. 1 Jul 2020

    US House passes bill Wed to sanction banks over . House of Representatives’ legislation to penalize banks doing business with Chinese officials who impose law for what called a “brutal, sweeping crackdown”.

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  2. 1 Jul 2020

    Reuters: The measure passed by unanimous consent, reflecting concern in Washington over China's enactment of a security law seen as ending the autonomy that allowed the former British colony to thrive as an international financial center.

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  3. 1 Jul 2020

    Reuters: The U.S. Senate passed similar legislation last week, but under congressional rules the bill must return to the Senate and be passed there before being sent to the White House for President Donald Trump to sign into law or veto.

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  4. A week after the Senate adopted it, the House today passed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, which imposes mandatory sanctions over China’s new national security law. The saga began w/ the White House asking a GOP senator (who co-sponsored it) to block it; now it heads to Trump’s desk

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  5. The version of the Autonomy Act that the House just passed includes minor technical changes to the bill and I passed last week. Tomorrow, we’ll take to the floor and ask the Senate to pass the new version immediately.

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  6. The House has unanimously passed the Autonomy Act. and I will pursue Senate concurrence as soon as possible so this gets to the president's desk. America must stand with the people of .

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  7. 1 Jul 2020

    US House of Representatives passes by unanimous consent bill H.R.7440 sanctioning entities responsible for 'National Security Law' in . Senate passed near-identical on June 26. House bill now goes back to Senate for passage.

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  8. 1 Jul 2020

    Along w these near-identical bills sanctioning entities responsible for NSL, 2 other similar bills have been introduced to allow persecuted people to more easily seek asylum in the US: in the House, the HK People's Freedom & Choice Act, & in the Senate, the HK Safe Harbor Act

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  9. 1 Jul 2020

    House (unanimously) passes China sanctions as declares 'one country, two systems' dead via / this bill (which seems like it will become law) could make it tough for foreign financial institutions to do business in HK.

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  10. 1 Jul 2020

    Sanctions "if the Secretary of State determines that a foreign person is materially contributing to, has materially contributed to, or attempts to materially contribute to the failure of the Government of China to meet its obligations under the Joint Declaration or the Basic Law"

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  11. 1 Jul 2020

    This is pretty broad language, and it could apply to any non-American that contributed to the passage of the National Security Law, or any non-American who enforces the National Security Law. It seems like Carrie Lam & the entire National People's Congress would qualify.

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  12. 1 Jul 2020

    Any foreign financial institution that conducts "significant transactions" with anyone in the HK govt or in the NPC, or in the Liaison Office up to Xi Jinping himself could be cut off from the US financial system. That is the type of risk big banks respond to.

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  13. 1 Jul 2020

    Just to give a sense of how broadly these sanctions could sweep, here is the House bill's "definition" of what counts as "materially contributing" to undermining the JD and Basic law.

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  14. 1 Jul 2020

    I am pretty shocked at how quickly events have moved in HK. China and the HK govt clearly don't care anymore about what the US does. The US Congress is furious about this, and is ready to act again. So decoupling is going to happen faster than many of us thought.

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  15. The U.S. Congress has long been united in a bipartisan mission to hold Beijing accountable for its human rights abuses. The Hong Kong Autonomy Act, passed by the House today, is an urgently-needed response to China’s so-called “national security” law.

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  16. JUST NOW: Full statement from on the House's passing the Hong Kong Autonomy Act today:

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  17. “The United States Congress on bi-partisan basis has long been united in our mission to hold Beijing accountable for its brutal crackdown against those peacefully demanding their rights and freedoms, including in Hong Kong. Last year, the House passed

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  18. the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act to combat Beijing’s aggression, and today, we are proud to pass the Hong Kong Autonomy Act: another important step toward ending China’s accelerating campaign of suppression, intimidation and cruelty waged against the people of HK.

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  19. “Today’s action is an urgently needed response to the cowardly Chinese government’s passage of its so-called ‘national security’ law, which threatens the end of the ‘one country, two systems’ promised exactly 23 years ago today.

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  20. All freedom-loving people must condemn this horrific law, which is purpose-built to dismantle democratic freedoms in HK. Today, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs was proud of the broad bipartisan participation in a hearing to shine a light on and condemn this dangerous law.

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  21. “The House continues to urge President Trump to take strong, strategic action to hold Chinese officials accountable, including through the sanctions set out in this legislation and in the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.

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  22. We must consider every tool at our disposal, including visa limitations and economic penalties, to keep alive the hopes for freedom, justice and real autonomy for the people of Hong Kong.”

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  23. The House just passed the Autonomy Act to strengthen sanctions on Chinese officials responsible for repression in Hong Kong. I’m proud I was able to help ensure its passage as chair of . It’s essential that this bill is signed into law ASAP!

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  24. Today the House passed the Autonomy Act, the House companion version of & 's bill to impose targeted sanctions on entities that violate Hong Kong's autonomy, and the banks that do business with them. (1/2)

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  25. No one should face life in prison for demonstrating. Now, Hong Kongers are fleeing Hong Kong out of fear for their safety, and we should support their right to do so. We need to impose consequences on the Chinese government for its actions towards (2/2)

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  26. 1 Jul 2020

    Tonight the stood strong with the people of in unanimously passing the Hong Kong Autonomy Act to place mandatory sanctions on those responsible for undermining the territory’s autonomous status.

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  27. 23 years ago today, the Sino-British Joint Declaration treaty went into effect, making part of China but with a high degree of autonomy. A day before the anniversary, Beijing reminded the world they can’t be trusted to fulfill their commitments to other nations.

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  28. The treaty clearly states would remain unchanged for 50 years, yet after 23 years, the most basic human rights of Hongkongers are being threatened in the name of so-called ‘national security’ by the mainland communist Chinese government.

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  29. As China continues to encroach on the freedoms of the people of Hong Kong, I want to be clear- the United States stands with the people of and will work to preserve their presently-enjoyed liberties.

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  30. The biggest difference between China and the is that China puts people first, while the US puts money and politics first. China sees problems and keeps reforming and improving, while the US politicians turn blind to their problems and always play the blame game.

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  31. 1 Jul 2020

    BREAKING: The Hong Kong Autonomy Act has passed the House on July 1. The Senate will fast track and pass the new version as soon as tmr on July 2.

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  32. 1 Jul 2020

    The passing of the HK Autonomy Act by the US House of Reps is an important step in the US leading the world in creating a calibrated and flexible sanctions program, which acts as a genuine deterrent against the ongoing infringement of Hong Kong's autonomy.

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  33. 1 Jul 2020

    "We encourage the US Government to sign this Act into law and implement a targeted sanctions regime against the perpetrators of human rights abuse under the National Security Law and those financial institutions in Hong Kong that support them, as a matter of urgency.”

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  34. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said China's new law in Hong Kong is intended "to frighten, intimidate and suppress the people of Hong Kong"

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  35. Hong Kong police made their first arrests over breaches of the new national security law while demonstrators defied a ban on the city's annual July 1 march.

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  36. According to local media, President Xi Jinping has signed the controversial national security legislation into law following a unanimous vote by lawmakers in Beijing.

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  37. U.S. House passes a bill imposing sanctions on banks that do business with Chinese officials involved in cracking down on Hong Kong

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