Pelosi Statement on House Passage of Hong Kong Autonomy Act
July 1, 2020
Contact: Speaker's Press Office,
202-226-7616
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement after the House passed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, legislation to impose mandatory sanctions on entities that violate China's obligations to Hong Kong under the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, by unanimous consent:
"The United States Congress on bipartisan 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 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 Hong Kong.
"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. All freedom-loving people must condemn this horrific law, which is purpose-built to dismantle democratic freedoms in Hong Kong. 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.
"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. 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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